TOTAL CONSECRATION
TO THE IMMACULATE HEART OF MARY
TOTAL CONSECRATION TO JESUS
THROUGH MARY
(33 Days Preparation for Total Consecration)
ACCORDING TO ST. LOUIS MARIE GRIGNON
DE MONFORT
ADAPTED ACCORDING TO THE MESSAGE OF OUR LADY OF FATIMA
AND DEVOTION OF REPARATION TO THE IMMACULATE HEART OF MARY
INTRODUCTION
At Fatima the Mother
of God revealed the great project of Jesus Christ for us. “The Merciful Hearts
of Jesus and Mary have designs of mercy for you”, said The Angel of Fatima. And
our Lady told: “JESUS WISHES TO ESTABLISH IN THE WORLD DEVOTION TO MY IMMACULATE
HEART.”
In the person of Lucia Our Lady
addressed to each one of us: “Jesus wishes to make use of you to make me better
known and loved.” “God wishes that His Holy Mother should be at present more
known, more loved and more honored than she has ever been; this will happen,”
says St. Louis De Monfort, “if people enter into the interior and perfect
practice of Consecration to the Immaculate Heart of Mary.” (True Devotion – 55)
Each and every one of
us is called to work upon this project! By our consecration and devotion of
reparation to the Immaculate Heart of Mary, Jesus wants to prepare us for His
“Plan of Grace”, the “Apostolate of the Immaculate Heart of Mary.”
“These Apostles of the latter times”, says St.
Louis De Monfort “will consecrate themselves entirely to her service as her
subjects and slaves of love ..... And they will give themselves to Mary body
and soul without reserve, that they may thus belong entirely to Jesus Christ.”
(True Devotion - 55)
This Web site is being translated and adapted chiefly for those traditional Catholics who
feel that the call of Our Lady at Fatima must be answered urgently by their own
total consecration and reparation to the Immaculate Heart of Mary.
This is the most
powerful means of co-operation with our Blessed Mother to crush the head of
Satan and rout the errors of modernism inside the Church and throughout the
world.
This book will
help them to prepare themselves for the total consecration to the Immaculate
Heart in the most perfect way possible.
This book will
also help those who wish to make their retreat in a traditional way, chiefly
where there is no traditional priest available for spiritual conferences.
It is a very
powerful guide for those who aspire for higher perfection, by using these pages
for daily meditation and spiritual reading – to practice the virtues of Jesus
and Mary and to attain intimate knowledge, love and union with Jesus and Mary.
This Web site has been prepared by the director of the “Society of Reparation” in India, as a
golden “Souvenir of the Marian Year” (1988), with the hope of bringing to
perfection Our Lady’s plan of Mercy, Might and Grace, in conquering the “Red
Dragon” of Modern Errors, and thus effecting the return of the Catholic Church
to its original splendor!
Special guidance
and directions will be given to those who sincerely wish to live the Total
Consecration to the Immaculate Heart of Mary in a traditional way.
It would not be out of place here to appreciate the works of Mrs. Gabriel Ducasse (England) who translated the text from German; and Bernadine Dumelie (Canada), who was the typesetter of this whole work. Both of them worked with a spirit of great love and dedication, consecrating them at the same time totally to the Immaculate Heart of Mary.
Fr. Pancras M. Raja
Director
"Society of Reparation"
Cell: 9360250211
Email: pancrasraja@gmail.com
33 DAYS PREPARATION FOR TOTAL CONSECRATION
The Total
Consecration to the Immaculate Heart of Mary, according to St. Louis De
Monfort, consists in giving ourselves entirely to the Most Blessed Virgin,
that through Her we may belong entirely to Jesus Christ.
To make the total consecration
fruitfully, we should prepare ourselves truly and seriously for 33 days. These
33 days, signifying the 33 days of Our Lord’s lifetime on earth, are considered
to be 33 days of spiritual exercises (Retreat) according to the Spirit of St.
Louis De Monfort.
Of these 33 days,
the first 12 days (PART ONE) must be spent in emptying ourselves of the spirit
of the world – the spirit which is contrary to that of Jesus Christ. Then there
are three weeks (PART TWO) which are spent in filling ourselves with the spirit
of Jesus Christ through the Mother of God. Of these three weeks, (1) The first
week should be spent in knowing oneself; (2) The second week in knowing the
Blessed Virgin Mary (3) and the third week in Knowing Jesus Christ.
And together with
this preparation there are some exterior and interior practices proposed by St.
Louis De Monfort – which will enable us to continue living the Consecration
throughout our life.
Spiritual Exercises:
1.
Say
the prescribed prayers faithfully and earnestly. Read the recommended spiritual
readings attentively. Make the daily mediations faithfully and draw from them
the truths contained therein.
2.
The
daily meditation of 10 to 30 minutes is necessary. Read the meditation points
on the previous evening, recalling the truth on which you are to meditate the
following morning. The meditation should always end in a loving colloquy to
Jesus and Mary, and a firm resolution is to be made.
3.
Practice
zealously one or several virtues, and give an account of your progress when examining
your conscience.
4.
Assist
at the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass and receive Holy Communion every day. Those
who cannot do this should at least do so in a spiritual manner (Spiritual
Communion) in order to live with Mary in the closest communion with Jesus.
One
can make a retreat (spiritual exercises) of 33 days with the help of the
mediation points and spiritual readings given here.
PART ONE
THE
TWELVE PRELIMINARY DAYS
The first part of the preparation
consists in casting off the spirit of the world. The spirit of the world
essentially means the denial of the supreme domination of God over us. This
denial is expressed by sin and disobedience; thus it is opposed to the Spirit
of Christ and the Spirit of Mary. The spirit of the world manifests itself by
the “concupiscence of the flesh, by the concupiscence of the eyes and by the
pride of life”. (1 Jn. 2:16). Its works are: sin in all forms, and all
occasions by which the devil leads to sin.
Those who prepare themselves for the
Total Consecration therefore must first and foremost cast off sin and all
occasions to sin. On these 12 days they should make the following Examination
of conscience:
Do
I love the world – Do I have an attachment to the world – Am I attached to some
things, places or persons – Is there a habit of sin in me – Am I in danger of
falling into sin – Am I attracted by the allurements of the world – Do I seek
conveniences and comforts – Instead of hating riches and fashions, do I have a
desire for them – Do I practice modesty of eyes – Do I sacrifice self love and
self complacency – Am I humble of heart.
Virtues
to be practiced during these 12 days:
Self
denial
Prayers to be recited during these 12
days:
Prayer before Meditation:
V. Come Holy Ghost
V. Send forth Thy Spirit, and they
shall be created.
Let
us Pray: O God, Who didst
instruct the hearts of the faithful by the light of the Holy Ghost: give to us,
in the same Spirit, to know what is right, and ever rejoice in His consolation.
Through Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, Who with Thee livest and reignest in
the unity of the same Holy Spirit, God. World without end. Amen.
1) Veni Creator Spiritus (Page: 7)
1.
1.Veni, creator Spiritus
2. Qui diceris
Paraclitus,
3. Tu
septiformis munere,
4. Accende
lumen sensibus,
5. Hostem
repellas longius
6. Per te
sciamus da Patrem
7. Deo Patri
sit gloria,
V. Emitte Spiritum tuum, et
creabuntur:
Oremus
Deus qui corda fidelium Sancti
Spiritus illustratione docuisti: da nobis in eodem Spiritu recta sapere, et
de eius semper consolatione gaudere. Per Dominum nostrum Jesum Christum,
Filium tuum, qui tecum vivit et regnat in unitate eiusdem Spiritus Sancti
Deus. Per omnia saecula saeculorum. Amen.
Come, Holy Ghost, Creator, come,
From thy bright heav’nly throne,
Come take possession of our souls,
And make them all thy own.
Thou who art called the Paraclete,
Best gift of God above,
The living spring, the living fire,
Sweet unction and true love.
Thou who art sev’nfold in thy grace,
Finger of God’s right hand
His promise teaching little ones
To speak and understand.
O guide our minds with thy bless’d light,
With love our hearts inflame;
And with thy strength, which ne’er decays
Confirm our mortal frame.
Far from us drive our deadly foe;
True peace unto us bring;
And through all perils lead us safe
Beneath thy sacred wing.
Through thee may we the Father know,
Through thee th’ eternal Son,
And thee, the Spirit of them both,
Thrice-blessed Three in One.
All glory to the Father be,
With his coequal Son;
The same to thee, great Paraclete,
While endless ages run. Amen.
V.
Send forth Thy Spirit, and they shall be created.
Let
us Pray
2) Ave Maris Stella (Page: 8)
AVE maris stella, HAIL, O Star of the ocean
Sumens illud Ave
which from Gabriel came,
Solve vincula reis,
make our blindness day,
Monstra te esse matrem: Show thyself
a Mother,
Sit laus Deo Patri,
Praise to God the Father,
3)
Magnificat (Page: 9)
MAGNIFICAT IN LATIN
Magníficat
ánima mea Dóminum.
Et exultávit
spíritus meus: in Deo salutári meo.
Quia respéxit
humilitátem ancíllae suae:
Ecce enim ex
hoc beátam me dicent omnes generatiónes.
Quia fécit
mihi mágna qui pótens est: et sánctum nómen eius.
Et
misericórdia eius in progénies et progénies timéntibus eum.
Fécit
poténtiam in bráchio suo: dispérsit supérbos mente cordis sui.
Depósuit
poténtes de sede: et exaltávit húmiles.
Esuriéntes
implévit bonis: et dívites dimísit inánes.
Suscépit
Ísrael púerum suum: recordátus misericórdiae suae.
Sicut locútus
est ad patres nostros: Ábraham, et sémini eius in saecula.
Glória Patri,
et Fílio, et Spirítui Sancto,
Sicut erat in
princípio, et nunc, et semper, et in sæcula sæculórum. Amen.
MAGNIFICAT IN ENGLISH
My soul doth
magnify the Lord.
And my spirit
hath rejoiced in God my Savior.
Because He
hath regarded the humility of His slave:
For behold
from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed.
Because He
that is mighty hath done great things to me; and holy is His name.
And His mercy
is from generation unto generations, to them that fear Him.
He hath
shewed might in His arm: He hath scattered the proud in the conceit of their
heart.
He hath put
down the mighty from their seat, and hath exalted the humble.
He hath
filled the hungry with good things; and the rich He hath sent empty away.
He hath
received Israel His servant, being mindful of His mercy:
As He spoke
to our fathers, to Abraham and to his seed for ever.
Glory be the
Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit,
As it was in
the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, forever and ever, Amen.
Prayer before Meditation during these
12 days:
O Mary Immaculate, Spouse of the Holy
Ghost, Mother of Jesus and my Mother, my Mistress and Queen, to Thee I wish to
give myself entirely, that I may through Thee belong to Jesus entirely. Obtain
for me light and strength from the Holy Ghost, and cleanse me from the Spirit
of the World.
Prayer after Meditation: Anima Christi
Soul of Christ, sanctify me.
1st
Day (Of the 12 preliminary days)
Theme:
Jesus Christ is calling us to follow Him
Hear Our Lord and
Savior Jesus Christ inviting us to consecrate ourselves entirely and totally to
Him through the hands of His Most Holy Mother, because this is the safest and
most beautiful way of becoming a true disciple of Jesus Christ.
Consideration: (Picture for Meditation)
Peter is rebuked for the opposing of
Christ’s suffering and death. (Matt. 16: 20-24)
“Go behind me, Satan, thou art a
scandal unto me: because thou savourest not the things that are of God, but the
things that are of men.” 23
The
Signs of the Disciples of Jesus Christ:
Christian
Holiness (Perfection) consists in:
1. Resolving
to become a Saint (If any man WANTS)
Let
us explain these 4 signs:
1. Firm
determination to become a Saint
(Desire for perfection)
“If
any man will”, if anyone has a
genuine desire, a determination not prompted by nature, habit, self love, self
interest or human respect; but by the all conquering grace of the Holy Ghost.
For a
man to climb Mount Calvary, he must be courageous, heroic, resolute to treat
with indifference the world and the devil, his own body and his own desires; he
must be determined to leave all things, to undertake anything, and to suffer
everything for the sake of Jesus Christ.
The
man without this determination is only walking on one foot and flying on one
wing. He is not worthy of this call to total consecration!
2. Renouncement
of Self:
“Let
him renounce himself”
One
who wants to follow Jesus who was so abase and crucified, must glory only in
the poverty, humiliation and suffering of His Cross.
3. Love
of the Cross:
“Let
him take up his Cross” joyfully, embrace it lovingly, and carry it courageously
and not drag it, or take it off, or lighten it or hide it. Let him lift it up
high and carry it without complaint or grumbling.
Each one’s cross is being carved and fashioned by Christ
Himself with its 4 dimensions of Length, Breadth, Thickness and Depth:
Its Length consists of certain period of
days or months enduring slander, or lying on a sickbed, or being forced to beg,
or suffering from temptations, dryness, desolation and other interior trials.
Its breadth is made up of the most harsh
and bitter circumstances that arise through those around us – our relatives,
friends and fellow workers (helpers).
Its thickness is made up of the loss of
one’s possessions, humiliations, contempt, sufferings, illness, and spiritual trials
which come to us daily until death (not periodical).
Its depth is made up of the hidden trials without
being able to find any comfort from any human being, who will turn away from
you and make you suffer more.
Carry it on your shoulders, like Our Lord as your “Sword of
Victory” and the “Scepter of your Empire” – for nothing is so necessary, so
beneficial, so agreeable, or so glorious as to suffer something for Jesus
Christ.
4. Action
in Christ-like Fashion: (41-62)
Mere
suffering is not enough, because even the devil and the world (Communists) have
their martyrs! We must bear our cross as Jesus bore His.
1.
To
please God and to save souls!
Reflection:
Let us pay the penalty in this world voluntarily,
and let us carry our crosses. In the next world everything – even an idle word
– has to be paid for even to the last penny. If only we could wrench from the
hand of Satan the book of death in which he has recorded all our sins and the
punishment they deserve, we would discover how great the debt which we owe, and also how preferable
it is to suffer for years in this world than for just one day in the next.
Jesus
says to His Disciples:
“If any many will come after Me let him
deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me. For what doth it profit a
man, if he gain the whole world and suffer the loss of his own Soul? Or what
exchange shall a man give for his Soul?
For the Son of Man shall come in the
glory of His Father with His Angels: and then will He render to every man
according to his works.” (Matt. 16: 24 -27)
Prayer: (Collect taken from the Mass for the
Propagation of Faith)
Spiritual
Reading:
THE IMITATION OF CHRIST
Imitation of
Christ: Book 1, Chapter 1,
CHAPTER I
Of the imitation of Christ, and of contempt of the world
and all its vanities
1.
He that followeth me shall not walk in darkness,(1) saith the Lord. These
are the words of Christ; and they teach us how far we must imitate His life and
character, if we seek true illumination, and deliverance from all blindness of
heart. Let it be our most earnest study, therefore, to dwell upon the
life of Jesus Christ.
2.
His teaching surpasseth all teaching of holy men, and such as have His Spirit
find therein the hidden manna.(2) But there are many who, though they
frequently hear the Gospel, yet feel but little longing after it, because they
have not the mind of Christ. He, therefore, that will fully and with true
wisdom understand the words of Christ, let him strive to conform his whole life
to that mind of Christ.
3.
What doth it profit thee to enter into deep discussion concerning the Holy
Trinity, if thou lack humility, and be thus displeasing to the Trinity? For verily
it is not deep words that make a man holy and upright; it is a good life which
maketh a man dear to God. I had rather feel contrition than be skillful in
the definition thereof. If thou knewest the whole Bible, and the sayings
of all the philosophers, what should all this profit thee without the love and
grace of God? Vanity of vanities, all is vanity, save to love God, and Him only to serve. That is the highest
wisdom, to cast the world behind us, and to reach forward to the heavenly
kingdom.
4.
It is vanity then to seek after, and to trust in, the riches that shall
perish. It is vanity, too, to covet honours, and to lift up ourselves on
high. It is vanity to follow the desires of the flesh and be led by them,
for this shall bring misery at the last. It is vanity to desire a long
life, and to have little care for a good life. It is vanity to take
thought only for the life which now is, and not to look forward to the things
which
shall be hereafter. It is vanity to love that which quickly passeth away,
and not to hasten where eternal joy abideth.
5.
Be ofttimes mindful of the saying,(3) The eye is not satisfied with seeing, nor
the ear with hearing. Strive, therefore, to turn away thy heart from the
love of the things that are seen, and to set it upon the things that are not
seen. For they who follow after their own fleshly lusts, defile the
conscience, and destroy the grace of God.
(1)
John viii. 12. (2) Revelations ii. 17.
(3) Ecclesiastes i. 8.
2nd Day (of the 12
Preliminary days)
Theme: The Two Companies
Two Camps stand opposed to each other.
We must choose one of them. Do we choose the side of Christ, or side of
Lucifer?
Consideration:
(Picture for Meditation)
“Blessed are ye” – “Woe to you” (Lk. 6:
20-26)
“Woe to you when men shall bless you; for according to these things did
their fathers to the false prophets” (Lk. 26).
The followers of Christ
“Friends of the Cross”, by St. Louis De
Monfort. (Nos. 7-10)
1. Those
who follow Jesus Christ:
Consider
a little group – on the right climbing up a narrow road, made all the narrower
by the world’s immorality.
§ Those who follow Him are only a handful
– Why?
But they continuously encourage one
another saying: “Now is the time to suffer and to mourn, to pray and to do
penance; now is the time to live in retirement and poverty, to humble and
mortify ourselves, because those who do not posses the spirit of Christ (which
is nothing but the spirit of the cross), do not belong to Him. Those who belong
to Christ do crucify all their self-indulgent passions and desires.
Have confidence, if God is on our side,
if He is within us and before us, who can be against us? He who is within us is
stronger than the one who is within the world.
This small and temporary distress we
suffer will bring us a tremendous and everlasting glory.
Only those are crowned who strive
according to the law of the gospel and not according to the maxims of the
world.
Let
us fight with all our strength, let us run with all speed that we may attain
this goal and win the crown.
2. Those
who follow the World.
On the left hand is the Company of the
World or of the devil. They are far more numerous, more imposing and more
illustrious.
Most of the fashionable people run to
join this Company. The road is wide and is continually being made wider than
ever; It is strewn with flowers, bordered with all kinds of amusements and
attractions and paved with Gold and Silver.
They urge each other to continue in
their evil ways without Scruple, calling to each other day after day: “Let us
eat and drink, sing and dance and enjoy ourselves; God is good, He does not
forbid us to amuse ourselves; we will not be punished just for this: “No, you
will not die”. And the serpent said to the woman: “No, you shall not die the
death. For God doth know that in what day so ever you shall eat thereof, your
eyes shall be opened: and you shall be as Gods, knowing good and evil.” And the
woman saw that the tree was good to eat, and fair to the eyes, and delightful
to behold: and she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave her husband
who did eat.” (Gen. 3: 4-6)
The spirit of the world – we should get
rid of, is this spirit of the devil – which made our first parents fall into
sin.
Jesus
teaches His Followers:
1. One
cannot serve two Masters:
“No man can serve two masters. For either he will hate the one and love the
other: Or he will sustain the one and despise the other. You cannot server God
and Mammon” (Matt. 6:24, Lk. 16:13)
2.
He who
is not with Christ, is against Him:
St. Paul:
3.
The
Spirit and Nature are opposed to each other:
“For
the flesh lusteth against the spirit: and the spirit against the flesh. For
these are contrary one to another: so that you do not the things that you
would.”
“Now the
works of the flesh are manifest”
§ Fornication, uncleanness, Immodesty,
Luxury.
“But
the fruit of the Spirit is:
§ Charity, Joy, Peace, Patience.
“And they that are Christ’s have
crucified their flesh with the vices and concupiscence.” (Gal. 5:17-24)
Prayer:
(Post Communion of the Mass of Christ the King – Last Sunday of October)
Spiritual
Reading:
Imitation of Christ: Book 2, Chapter 11.
CHAPTER
XI Of the fewness of those who love the Cross of Jesus
1. Jesus hath many lovers of His
heavenly kingdom, but few bearers of His Cross. He hath many seekers of
comfort, but few of tribulation. He findeth many companions of His table, but
few of His fasting.
All desire to rejoice with Him, few are
willing to undergo anything for His sake. Many follow Jesus that they may eat
of His loaves, but
few that they may drink of the cup of His passion. Many are astonished at His
Miracles, few follow after the shame of His Cross. Many love Jesus so long as
no adversities happen to them.
Many praise Him
and bless Him, so long as they receive any comforts from Him. But if Jesus hide
Himself and withdraw from them a little while, they fall either into
complaining or into too great dejection of mind.
2. But they who
love Jesus for Jesus' sake, and not for any consolation of their own, bless Him
in all tribulation and anguish of heart as in the highest consolation. And if
He should never give them consolation, nevertheless they would always praise
Him and always give Him thanks.
3. Oh what power
hath the pure love of Jesus, unmixed with any gain or love of self! Should not
all they be called mercenary who are always seeking consolations? Do they not
prove themselves lovers of self more than of Christ who are always seeking
their own gain and advantage? Where shall be found one who is willing to serve
God altogether for nought?
4. Rarely is any
one found so spiritual as to be stripped of all selfish thoughts, for who shall
find a man truly poor in spirit and free of all created things? "His value
is from afar, yea from the ends of the earth." A man may give away all his
goods, yet that is nothing; and if he do many deeds of penitence, yet that is a
small thing; and though he understand all knowledge, yet that is afar off; and
if he have great virtue and zealous devotion, yet much is lacking unto him,
yea, one thing which is the most necessary to him of all.
What is it then? That
having given up all things besides, he give up himself and go forth from
himself utterly, and retain nothing of self−love; and having done all things
which he knoweth to be his duty to do, that he feel that he hath done nothing.
Then may he be
truly poor and naked in spirit, and be able to say with the Prophet, As for me,
I am poor and needy. (2)
Nevertheless,
no man is richer than he, no man stronger, no man freer. For he knoweth both
how to give up himself and all things, and how to be lowly in his own eyes.
(1) Luke xvii. 10.
(2) Psalm xxv. 16.
The Two Companies (Friends of the Cross by St Louis De Monfort)
My dear brothers and
sisters, there are two companies that appear before you each day: the followers
of Christ and the followers of the world.
Our dear Saviour's company
is on the right, climbing up a narrow road, made all the narrower by the
world's immorality. Our Master leads the way, barefooted, crowned with thorns,
covered with blood, and laden with a heavy cross. Those who follow him, though
most valiant, are only a handful, either because his quiet voice is not heard
amid the tumult of the world, or because people lack the courage to follow him
in his poverty, sufferings, humiliations and other crosses which his servants
must carry all the days of their life.
On the left hand is the
company of the world or of the devil. This is far more numerous, more imposing
and more illustrious, at least in appearance. Most of the fashionable people
run to join it, all crowded together, although the road is wide and is
continually being made wider than ever by the crowds that pour along it like a
torrent. It is strewn with flowers, bordered with all kinds of amusements and
attractions, and paved with gold and silver.
On the right, the little
groups which follow Jesus speak about sorrow and penance, prayer and
indifference to worldly things. They continually encourage one another saying,
"Now is the time to suffer and to mourn, to pray and do penance, to live
in retirement and poverty, to humble and mortify ourselves; for those who do
not possess the spirit of Christ, which is the spirit of the cross, do not
belong to him. Those who belong to Christ have crucified all self-indulgent
passions and desires. We must be true images of Christ or be eternally
lost."
"Have
confidence," they say to each other. If God is on our side, within us and
before us, who can be against us? He who is within us is stronger than the one
who is in the world. The servant is not greater than his master. This slight
and temporary distress we suffer will bring us a tremendous and everlasting
glory. The number of those who will be saved is not as great as some people
imagine. It is only the brave and the daring who take heaven by storm, where
only those are crowned who strive to live according to the law of the Gospel
and not according to the maxims of the world. Let us fight with all our
strength, let us run with all speed, that we may attain our goal and win the
crown.
Such are some of the
heavenly counsels with which the "Friends of the Cross" inspire each other.
Those who follow the
world, on the contrary, urge each other to continue in their evil ways without
scruple, calling to one another day after day, "Let us eat and drink, sing
and dance, and enjoy ourselves. God id good; he has not made us to damn us. He
does not forbid us to amuse ourselves. We shall not be damned for so little. We
are not to be scrupulous. 'No, you will not die'."
Dear brothers and
sisters, remember that our loving Saviour has his eyes on you at this moment,
and he says to each one of you individually, "See how almost everyone
deserts me on the royal road of the Cross. Pagans in their blindness ridicule
my Cross as foolishness; obstinate Jews are repelled by it as by an object of
horror; heretics pull it down and break it to pieces as something contemptible.
"Even my own people -
and I say this with tears in my eyes and grief in my heart - my own children
whom I have brought up and instructed in my ways, my members whom I have
quickened with my own Spirit, have turned their backs on me and forsaken me by
becoming enemies of my Cross. 'Will you also go away?' Will you also desert me
by running away from my Cross like the world-lings, who thus become so many
Antichrists? Will you also follow the world; despise the poverty of my Cross in
order to seek after wealth; shun the sufferings of my Cross to look for
enjoyment; avoid the humiliations of my Cross in order to chase after the
honours of the world? 'There are many who pretend they are friends of mine and
protest that they love me, but in their hearts they hate me. I have many
friends of my table, but very few of my Cross.' (Imit. II, 11, 1)."
At this loving appeal of Jesus, let us rise
above our human nature; let us not be seduced by our senses, as Eve was; but
keep our eyes fixed on Jesus crucified, who leads us in our faith and brings it
to perfection (Heb 12.2). Let us keep ourselves apart from the evil practices
of the world; let us show our love for Jesus in the best way, that is, through
all kinds of crosses. Reflect well on these remarkable words of our Saviour,
"If anyone wants to be a follower of mine, let him renounce himself, and
take up his cross and follow me" (Mt 16.24; Lk 9.23).
MEDITATION ON TWO STANDARDS
The one of Christ, our
Commander-in-chief and Lord; the other of Lucifer, mortal enemy of our human
nature.
Prayer. The usual Preparatory Prayer.
First Prelude. The First Prelude is the narrative. It will be
here how Christ calls and wants all under His standard; and Lucifer, on the
contrary, under his.
Second Prelude. The second, a composition, seeing the place.
It will be here to see a great field of all that region of Jerusalem, where the
supreme Commander-in-chief of the good is Christ our Lord; another field in the
region of Babylon, where the chief of the enemy is Lucifer.
Third Prelude. The third, to ask for what I want: and it will
be here to ask for knowledge of the deceits of the bad chief and help to guard
myself against them, and for knowledge of the true life which the supreme and
true Captain shows and grace to imitate Him.
First Point. The first Point is to imagine as if the chief
of all the enemies seated himself in that great field of Babylon, as in a
great chair of fire and smoke, in shape horrible and
terrifying.
Second Point. The second, to consider how he issues a
summons to innumerable demons and how he scatters them, some to one city and
others to another, and so through all the world, not omitting any provinces,
places, states, nor any persons in particular.
Third Point. The third, to consider the discourse which he
makes them, and how he tells them to cast out nets and chains; that they have
first to tempt with a longing for riches -- as he is accustomed to do in most
cases -- that men may more
easily come to vain honor of the world, and then to vast pride. So that the
first step shall be that of riches; the second, that of honor; the third, that
of pride; and from these three steps he draws on to all the other vices.
So, on the contrary, one
has to imagine as to the supreme and true Captain, Who is Christ our Lord.
First Point. The first Point is to consider how Christ our
Lord puts Himself in a great field of that region of Jerusalem, in lowly place,
beautiful and attractive.
Second Point. The second, to consider how the Lord of all
the world chooses so many persons -- Apostles, Disciples, etc., -- and sends
them through all the world spreading His sacred doctrine through all states and
conditions of persons.
Third Point. The third, to consider the discourse which
Christ our Lord makes to all His servants and friends whom He sends on this
expedition, recommending them to want to help all, by bringing them first to
the highest spiritual poverty, and -- if His Divine Majesty would be served and
would want to choose them -- no less to actual poverty; the second is to be of
contumely and contempt; because from these two things humility follows. So that
there are to be three steps; the first, poverty against riches; the second,
contumely or contempt against worldly honor; the third, humility against pride.
And from these three steps let them induce to all the other virtues.
First Colloquy. One Colloquy to Our Lady, that she may get me
grace from Her Son and Lord that I may be received under His standard; and
first in the highest spiritual poverty, and -- if His Divine Majesty would be
served and would want to choose and receive me -- not less in actual poverty;
second, in suffering contumely and injuries, to imitate Him more in them, if
only I can suffer them without the sin of any person, or displeasure of His
Divine Majesty; and with that a HAIL MARY.
Second Colloquy. I will ask the same of the Son, that He may
get it for me of the Father; and with that say the SOUL OF CHRIST.
Note. This Exercise will be made at midnight and
then a second time in the morning, and two repetitions of this same will be
made at the hour of Mass and at the hour of Vespers, always finishing with the
three Colloquies, to Our Lady, to the Son, and to the Father; and that on The
Pairs which follows, at the hour before supper.
3rd Day (of the 12
Preliminary days)
The world is striving only for money
and property. People think that with these things they can buy happiness. The
Disciples of Christ know that even temporal goods are gifts of God. But they
also know that temporal goods are transitory
and can deceive. They know well the words of the Lord: “How hardly shall
they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God.” (Mk. 10:23)
Consideration:
(Picture for meditation) The Rich Young Man (Mk. 10: 17-23)
Universal
Mortification
“… One thing is wanting unto thee: go,
sell whatever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in
heaven; and come, follow me”.
“…. being struck sad at that saying, went away sorrowful; for he had great
possessions”.
“The Love of Eternal Wisdom” – by St.
Louis de Montfort (Chapter 16: Nos. 194 to 202)
A
Spirit of Renouncement
A
Spirit of Detachment (198-200)
A
Zealous Spirit of Penance: (201,202)
Mortify
the Body:
Not only by enduring patiently your
bodily ailments and sufferings – which the natural elements bring upon us, but
also by freely imposing on yourselves some penances and mortifications such as fasting, watching and other austerities.
“The wise or the saintly man has
brought his body into subjection by continual watching, fasting, disciplines,
cold, insufficient clothing and every kind of austerity; he made a contract
with his body not to give it any rest in this world.” (Office of St. Peter Alcantara)
These exterior mortifications should be
undertaken by taking counsel (from
the spiritual director), and in order that these voluntary mortifications be good,
it is necessary that they be accompanied by mortification of “Self Will” and
judgment and by Holy Obedience.
Without this obedience, all exterior
mortification is spoiled by self love, and it often becomes more pleasing to
the devil than to God. “He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool.” (Prov.
28:26) “The prudent man doth all things with counsel.” (Prov. 13:16)
Hence, no considerable mortification
should be undertaken without taking counsel. Beware of self love which spoils
everything. By holy obedience the heart of our actions becomes meritorious.
Jesus
urges us to Practice Mortification
“Be
not solicitous for your life, what you shall eat, nor for your body, what shall
you put on. Is not the life more than the meat and the body more than the
raiment.
Prayer: (Collect: 3rd Sunday after
Pentecost)
Spiritual
Reading:
CHAPTER XXXI Of the neglect
of every creature, that the Creator may be found
1. O Lord, I still need more grace,
if I would arrive where neither man nor any other creature may hinder me. For
so long as anything keepeth me back, I cannot freely fly unto Thee. He desired eagerly thus to fly, who cried,
saying, Oh that I had wings like a dove, for then would I flee away and be at
rest. What is more peaceful than the single eye? And what more free than he
that desireth nothing upon earth? Therefore must a man rise above every
creature, and perfectly forsake himself, and with abstracted mind to stand and
behold that Thou, the Creator of all things, hast among Thy creatures nothing
like unto Thyself. And except a man be
freed from all creatures, he will not be able to reach freely after Divine
things. Therefore few are found who give themselves to contemplation, because
few know how to separate themselves entirely from perishing and created things.
2. For this much grace is necessary,
which may lift up the soul and raise it above itself. And except a man be
lifted up in the spirit, and freed from all creatures, and altogether united to
God, whatsoever he knoweth, whatsoever even he hath, it mattereth but little. He who esteemeth anything great save the one
only incomprehensible, eternal, good,
shall long time be little and lie low. For whatsoever is not God is nothing,
and ought to be counted for nothing. Great is the difference between a godly
man, illuminated with wisdom, and a scholar learned in knowledge and given to
books. Far nobler is that doctrine which floweth down from the divine fullness
above, than that which is acquired laboriously by human study.
3. Many are found who desire contemplation,
but they do not strive to practice those things which are required thereunto.
It is also a great impediment, that much is made of symbols and external signs,
and too little of thorough mortification. I know not how it is, and by what
spirit we are led, and what we who would be deemed spiritual are aiming at,
that we give so great labour and so eager solicitude for transitory and
worthless things, and scarcely ever gather our senses together to think at all
of our inward condition.
4. Ah, me! Forthwith after a little
recollection we rush out of doors, and do not subject our actions to a strict
examination. Where our affections are set we take no heed, and we weep not that
all things belonging to us are so defiled. For because all flesh had corrupted
itself upon the earth, the great deluge came. Since therefore our inmost
affections are very corrupt, it followeth of necessity that our actions also
are corrupt, being the index of a deficient inward strength. Out of a pure
heart proceedeth the fruit of good living.
5. We demand how much a man hath
done; but from how much virtue he acted, is not so narrowly considered. We ask
if he be strong, rich, handsome, clever, whether he is a good writer, good
singer, good
4th Day (of the 12 Preliminary days)
Theme: Power and Glory
The world is greedy for power and
glory. Like slaves, men grovel before
those in power, and worship those who are famous. They clamber over corpses
to grab power; and shrink from nothing to gain the smallest piece of fleeting
glory.
The Disciples of Christ know that the
Lord “puts down the mighty from their seat” (Lk. 1:52), and that all earthly
glory is nothing, because only that which is Eternal has value.
Consideration:
(Picture for meditation)
How the Children of God Act
“True Devotion to Mary” – by St. Louis
de Montfort (Nos. 196-200)
The
children of God act like Jacob, unlike Esau.
They
are like Jacob – practicing Christian perfection in Company with Mary.
(1)
They love interior life and remain in Prayer
with Mary. (196) Those who wish to empty themselves of the spirit of vain glory
– must have an esteem for quietness, should love the interior life and be
assiduous in prayer.
(2) They always remain in the company of
the Blessed Virgin whose “glory” is wholly interior, and who during Her whole
life, dearly loved seclusion and prayer. They
go out only to fulfill the duties of their state of life, in obedience to the
will of God and the will of their Mother.
At
times they see their brothers and sisters, working outside with great skill and
success, and winning the praise and glory of the “world”. But they know that
there is far more good, more glory and more joy in remaining hidden and
recollected with Our Lord in complete submission to Mary.
How
happy is the man who dwells in the house of Mary, where Jesus was the first to
dwell!
(3)
They entrust their body and soul into the
hands of Mary – to be sanctified.
That
She may accept them as Her own.
That
She may, by divesting them of self-love, make them die to sin and self.
That
She may cleanse their body and souls from every stain of inordinate affection
and guile.
That
She may clothe them with Her own virtues and graces according to the heavenly
Fathers’ taste and for His greater glory.
(4) They are obedient to Mary and they follow her
advice in everything. (198)
Jacob
received his blessing through the obedience to the advice of his mother
Rebecca. (At Cana – As a reward for following the advice of Our Lady, water was
changed into wine).
In
the same way all who are to receive the wondrous graces of God, will receive
them only as a result of their perfect obedience to Mary. On the other hand,
“the Esaus” (Protestants) will lose their blessing because of their lack of
“devotion” (submission) to the Blessed Virgin Mary.
(5) By hiding and loosing themselves in Mary, they
taste the sweetness of Jesus. (199)
(6) They are happy in imitating the virtues of
Mary. (200)
They
are happy in this world: because of the abundance of grace and sweetness which
Our Lady imparts to them out of Her fullness, and which they receive more
abundantly than others who do not imitate her so closely
On the other hand sinners, who do not
imitate Her virtues are unhappy during their life, at their death and for all
eternity. Those who are satisfied with going no further than joining Her
Confraternities, reciting a few prayers or performing other exterior devotional
exercises – are unhappy because they allow themselves to be led astray by false
devotions to Mary.
Jesus
warns those who serve the world and Satan in order to gain Power and Glory:
And Jesus answering said to him: “It is
written (Deut. 6:13): Thou shalt adore the Lord thy God, and Him only shall
thou serve.” (Lk. 4: 5-8)
Prayer: (Votive Collect for the virtue of
Humility)
Spiritual
Reading
CHAPTER IV How we must walk in truth
and humility before God
1. "My Son!
walk before Me in truth, and in the simplicity of thy heart seek Me
continually. He who walketh before Me in the truth shall be safe from evil
assaults, and the truth shall deliver him from the wiles and slanders of the
wicked. If the truth shall make thee free, thou shalt be free indeed, and shalt
not care for the vain words of men."
5th Day (of the 12
Preliminary days)
Theme: Sensuality
The world today gives importance to the
senses. Nothing is Holy anymore in the sight of the world; and even that which
is most noble is drawn into the dirt. They try incessantly to excite the lowest
instinct in man by images (pornography), writings (novels), and words (bad
tales). But the Disciples of Christ know that all true love comes from God, and
therefore must be holy and pure. “Blessed are the pure of heart, for they shall
see God.” (Matt. 5: 8)
Consideration: (Picture for meditation)
(1)
We are
fragile vessels (87)
(2) We are surrounded by Evil Spirits (88)
(3)
The
World is filled with corruption
Sensuality
Sensuality is that habit which leads to
unlawful sexual behavior, consisting of fornication (premarital sex), adultery
(sexual perversions among married persons, against the virtue of marital
continence), homosexuality, and impure thoughts and actions with oneself.
The “concupiscence of the eyes” (1Jn.
2:16) weakens the strength of our soul against sin.
Generally women are invested with a
sense of modesty and reserve – a God given quality!
But today they have chosen to show off
themselves and their bodies. This behavior of women in general has decayed the
whole Family System. It has caused the women to choose not to bring up their
children. The love of Christian Virtue is vanishing; and for what? It is for
the love of the flesh and worldly vanities.
Thus it has become extremely difficult
to persevere in holiness, because of the excessive corrupting influence of the
modern world. Hence it is necessary to enter into the interior and perfect
devotion to the Immaculate Heart of Mary.
If thy right eye is the occasion of thy
falling into sin, pluck it out and cast it away from thee; better to lose one
part of thy body than to have the whole cast into hell.
Practical
solution: Meditate daily
on the passion and crucifixion of Jesus Christ.
Prayer: (Votive Collect against evil
thoughts)
Spiritual
Reading:
CHAPTER VI Of inordinate affections
1. Whensoever a man desireth aught
above measure, immediately he becometh restless. The proud and the avaricious
men are never at rest; while the poor and lowly of heart abide in the multitude
of peace. The man who is not yet wholly dead to self, is soon tempted, and is
overcome in small and trifling matters. It is hard for him who is weak in
spirit, and still in part carnal and inclined to the pleasures of sense, to
withdraw himself altogether from earthly desires. And therefore, when he
withdraweth himself from these, he is often sad, and easily angered too if any
oppose his will.
2. But if, on the other hand, he yields
to his inclination, immediately he is weighed down by the condemnation of his
conscience; for that he hath followed his own desire, and yet in no way
attained the peace which he hoped for. For true
peace of heart is to be found in resisting passion, not in yielding to it.
And therefore there is no peace in the heart of a man who is carnal nor in him
who is given up to the things that are without him, but only in him who is
fervent towards God and living the life of the Spirit.
6th Day (of the 12
Preliminary days)
Theme: Intellectual Pride
How easily the world is deceived by
every delusion that comes in the guise of “Science”. People want to be
knowledgeable, and yet they presume to ridicule God’s revelation in the name of
the so called Science. But the disciple of Christ knows that there can be no contradiction
between Faith and true Science, and he humbly bows before the Mysteries of God
with Faith.
Consideration:
(Picture for meditation)
“True Devotion” by St. Louis de
Montfort. (Nos. 64 and 93)
(1)
Learned
Catholics (Theologians) think that Jesus will be offended by excessive honor
paid to Mary (Jansenism which opposed devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary)
It
is natural that Pagans and idolaters do not know Jesus Christ and consequently
have no knowledge about His Holy Mother.
But
Catholics, and even educated Catholics, who profess to teach the Faith to
others – do not know Jesus and His Holy Mother – except in a speculative, dry,
cold and indifferent way.
They
protest loudly when they hear a devout Servant of Mary speak frequently with
conviction and vigor of devotion to Mary.
They
cannot bear those who speak about devotion to Mary as the surest way, or
wonderful secret for finding Jesus perfectly; they cry out against them and
give a thousand false reasons to prove that they should not talk so much about
Our Lady.
If
at all they sometimes speak about devotion to Mary, it is but only to stop
abuses made of it – not to promote the devotion to Mary.
But
love for Mary is never a lessening of our love for Jesus. The more we imitate
and follow Mary, the more we love and glorify Jesus.
Is
Mary a stranger who has no Connection with Jesus? Does devotion to Mary in any
way hinder the devotion to Jesus?
On
the contrary, let us love Jesus ardently, so that we may obtain a true devotion
to His Holy Mother and inspire the whole earth with it.
(2) Proud Scholars criticize all the
practices of Devotion to Mary.
These
independent (liberal) and self-sufficient people criticize all those forms of
devotion to Mary just because such practices do not appeal to them. They call
in doubt all the miracles and pious stories, and narratives which testify to us
the power of the Most Holy Virgin (The power of God in Mary)
They
can’t bear seeing people on their knees before an altar or an image of Our
Lady; and they even accuse them of idolatry – as if they adored the wood or a
stone.
These
proud and worldly people are greatly to be feared. They do untold harm to
devotion to Our Lady because while pretending to correct abuses, they are but
too successful in turning people away from this devotion.
St. Paul warns the Christians against learned teachers, saying that
the world was to be saved not by human wisdom but by preaching of the Cross. (Grace
and Salvation – not through Secular Science and Media – but only through
Spiritual act of faith and love of God) 1Cor 1: 20-30.
“Hath
not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?” (Secular Science and Media)
“We
preach Christ Crucified... indeed a stumbling block and foolishness!”
The Principle is: Whatever “public” must be an
approved way of “Catholic Worship” and must be exclusively of a “Catholic
Forum”. No “News Column” in secular media (Newspaper, Radio, T.V.) should be
used for Sanctification and Salvation of Souls!
Prayer: (Collect: 13th Sunday after
Pentecost)
Spiritual Reading
Imitation of Chris: Book 3, Chapter 43
CHAPTER XLIV Of not troubling ourselves
about outward things
1. "My Son, in many things it
behoveth thee to be ignorant, and to esteem thyself as one dead upon the earth,
and as one to whom the whole world is crucified. Many things also thou must
pass by with deaf ear, and must rather think upon those things which belong
unto thy peace. It is more profitable to turn away thine eyes from those things
that displease, and to leave each man to his own opinion, than to give thyself
to discourses of strife. If thou stand well with God and hast His judgment in
thy mind, thou wilt verily easily bear to be as one conquered."
2. O Lord, to what
have we come? Behold a temporal loss is mourned over; for a trifling gain we labour
and hurry; and spiritual loss passeth away into forgetfulness, and we rarely
recover it. That which profiteth little or nothing is looked after, and that
which is altogether necessary is negligently passed by; because the whole man
slideth away to outward things, and unless he quickly recovereth himself in
outward things he willingly lieth down.
7th Day (of the 12
Preliminary days)
Theme: Worldly Fashions
How everything today disappears in the
crowd! How easily people betray their convictions! They repeat every slogan
they hear, and follow the silliest of fashions, purely because others are
following them. But Christianity endeavors to form personalities that have the
courage to swim against the tide.
Consideration: (Picture for Meditation) The Transfiguration (Luke 9: 29-35)
The
Conduct of the Children of the World
(True Devotion 186, 187, 217-220)
(2) Esau seldom stayed at home, and always
worked out of doors.
Sinners have no liking for solitude or
for interior devotion. They consider those who live an interior life – as
secluded from the world, and who work more interiorly than exteriorly, as narrow
minded and uncivilized! (187)
(1)
You
will perceive the evil inclinations of your fallen nature; as an object of
repugnance. (214)
(2)
You
will share Mary’s faith which moves and transforms hearts by gentle and
convincing arguments, because She is the Holy of Holies in which Saints are
formed and molded. (218)
Mary is a Mold capable of forming you
into the image and likeness of Jesus. Anyone who is cast in this Divine Mould
(Immaculate Heart of Mary), is quickly shaped and molded into Jesus (219)
Many persons rely on their own skill,
ingenuity and art, and they chip away endlessly with a chisel on hard stone or
wood, in an effect to produce a likeness of Jesus. But most of them do not
manage to produce a recognizable likeness!
But those who accept his Secret of
Grace (Total Consecration) do not rely on their own skill, but on the
perfection of the mould. They cast themselves into the beautiful mould of Mary
where they become true image of Her Son. (220)
Many
Fashions of the 20th Century
Our Lady of Fatima predicted and warned
us about the immoral fashions – when she told little Jacinta that, “Many
fashions would be introduced in the 20th century, which would
greatly offend God.” Our Lady also told that, “More Souls would go to hell for
the sins of the flesh than for any other reason.”
“Fashions” are immoral suggestions of
Lucifer! And our own children and youth have become susceptible to these
immoral suggestions. There is no sense of shame anymore! Many high school
students seem totally ignorant of what “MODESTY” is! It has become impossible
to visit even our Catholic Families, without encountering girls dressed
immodestly. Very sad indeed!
Now with today’s fashions, can you
imagine seeing the Blessed Virgin dressed like our girls? No She is the most
perfect Model of Purity! She is the divine and human mould of the God-Man! She
always appears in Her apparitions so fully dressed that no outline of her body
could be seen! No one who looks at Her or her images will be tempted to have an
impure thought. All our children and their mothers are gifted with a luminous and
delicate grace, which illumines their face with heavenly splendor equal to that
of our divine Mother Mary, the most beautiful of all women! “Tota Pulchra Es O
Maria” (“You are all beautiful, O Mary”).
Therefore they have to reproduce, even
exteriorly, the royal grace of Mary. “Mary is beauty and grace” (Speciosa et
formosa).
People find fault with those Rev. Sisters
who throw away their religious garb – they are right. But on the one hand, if
we ask why these religious do this, they say that they would like to be as all
women are. If you ask these women on the other hand, Why do they become more
and more indecent – What would be their answer? Because all are indecent! (All
are falling into the pit) and therefore, these fashions, do they really glorify
women? No! Those who design these immodest fashions are not interested in
making woman appear more beautiful, but to appear more lustful! “Freedom” to
dress as they like, in fact leads to a life of “Slavery” to the world and its
evils! Actually to be “free” is to be “sinless” – to be holy. Holiness is the
real beauty of the soul that never dies!
The Modern Priests and Nuns – remove
their religious garb – and show a scandalous bad example – in conformity with
the Spirit of the World.
Let
us Hear the Words of Jesus:
Prayer:
(Collect: 4th Sunday after
Easter)
Spiritual Reading:
CHAPTER XXXVI Against vain judgments of
men
1. "My Son, anchor thy soul firmly
upon God, and fear not man's judgment, when conscience pronounceth thee pious
and innocent. It is good and blessed thus to suffer nor will it be grievous to
the heart which is humble, and which trusteth in God more than in itself. Many
men have many opinions, and therefore little trust is to be placed in them. But
moreover it is impossible to please all. Although Paul studied to please all
men in the Lord, and to become all things to all men,(1) yet nevertheless with
him it was a very small thing that he
8th
Day (Of the 12 preliminary days)
Theme:
Love of Pleasure (Entertainment)
The world is in the grip of a pleasure
seeking frenzy. It cannot get enough noise and amusements to distract it from
its own interior emptiness. The Christian has no contempt for true Joy. But his
joy comes from within. Therefore he has no need for the ever increasing
excitements.
Consideration: (Picture for Meditation) The rich man and Lazarus. (Lk: 16-26)
(1) They
care little or nothing to please Mary
(188)
Esau
never went out of his way to please his mother. Likewise the children of the
world without any affection to Our Lady, recite or mumble a few prayers to Her.
They even speak well of Her sometimes. And it is true that they do not really
hate Her.
These
are the Modernists/worldly minded people who encourage all kinds of
entertainments and amusements, and pretend that they are going to make them
Holy. They engage themselves in sinful occasions and say that these are
necessary for life on earth. They find it impossible to close their senses to
the worldly excitements; and pretend that they are transforming these
excitements into prayer and evangelization!
V.G:
Fr. Barboza – Biblical dance drama, Guitar Mass, Clown Mass etc.
(2) They
sell the Joys of Paradise for the Pleasures of the World. (189)
Esau
was such a glutton, and so fond of eating that he sold his Birth Right for a
dish of lentils. (Gen. 25: 29-34)
(3) They
Continuously Hate and Persecute the Elect. (190)
Like
Cain, Esau was extremely jealous of his brother and persecuted him
relentlessly.
They
despise them, criticize them, ridicule them, impoverish them, hunt them down
and trample them into the dust; while they themselves are making fortunes,
enjoying themselves, getting good positions for themselves and living in
comfort.
But
the humble and faithful Children of Mary “will sleep without gold or silver
(port folio), and without concern in the midst of other priests, ecclesiastics
and clerics. Yet they will have their silver wings of the dove enabling them to
go wherever the Holy
Do not
be agitated by the waves of modernism and worldly love of pleasures.
The Warning of St. James, the Apostle: (Jam 5: 1-5)
4.)
“You
have feasted upon earth; and in riotousness you have nourished your hearts in
the day of slaughter.”
Prayer:
(Collect: 6th Sunday after
Epiphany)
Spiritual Reading:
CHAPTER XXIV Of
avoiding of curious inquiry into the life of another
9th
Day (Of the 12 preliminary days)
Theme:
Insincerity (Hypocrisy)
Sincerity no longer has value in the
world; lies, deceit and hypocrisy are in charge. Everyone would appear to be
that which he is not. Cunningness and unscrupulous cheating are generally
praised as cleverness, to the extent that even the faithful suffer the
contagion from this evil. Jesus Christ was absolutely sincere. There was no
guile and deceit in Him. Sincerity in word and principle, sincerity at all cost.
That is the goal which the Christian sets for Himself.
Consideration: (Picture for Meditation) John the Baptist Preaching. (Lk 3: 2-14)
No compromise with the Spirit of the
World (“Love of Eternal Wisdom” Nos. 198-200)
Those who hide their sins and evil
habits under the mantle of the Blessed Virgin, so as to appear different from
what they are – these are the worst type of hypocrites. They join
Confraternities and wear emblems of Our Lady to be thought of as good people.
(102)
On
the contrary true devotion to Our Lady is Holy, that is it leads to avoid Sin
and to imitate the Virtues of Mary.
(108)
The world is full of hypocrisy and
make-up. But those who practice true devotion should firmly resolve:
V.G.: The use of cream, perfumes,
lipstick, eyebrow, tilak etc. – all these are used to make oneself attractive,
to hide some imperfections and to “deceive” others!
- is it not sheer insincerity and
hypocrisy?
(2) Resolve not to Believe or to Follow the
False Maxims of the World: (In thought and
word) (133)
The people of the world, they think and
speak evil of all the great truths of the religion.
If you consider their false opinions
and their words – v.g: Their teaching on “Contraception” – Their doctrine is as
opposed to that of Jesus Christ as darkness is opposed to light.
True, they do not tell brazen lies;
they cleverly cover their lying with a clock of truth; (The apparent necessity
of population control) But murder is murder, fornication is fornication,
impurity is impurity.
They pretend to be not conscious of
telling untruths, yet they lie!
Nor do they teach sinful things openly
– but they speak of them as of virtue, propriety or else as indifferent things
and of little consequence.
(3)
Resolve
to be Hid from the Company and from Idle curiosity of men (200)
“As often as I have been among men, I
Have returned less a Man”, said a Philosopher. This we experience often when we
talk too long.
If you withdraw yourself form
superfluous talk and idle visits, as also from giving ear to news and to
reports (newspaper, radio, etc.) you will find time sufficient and proper to
employ yourself in good meditations. The great Saints avoided the company of
men – so did the Blessed Virgin Mary – as much as they could, and chose to live
for God in secret. (Imitation, Bk 1, chp 20: 1)
Seek therefore a proper time to retire
to yourself, and think of the benefits of God. Let curiosities alone!
Jesus warns the Pharisees: (Mt. 23:
25-28)
“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees,
hypocrites; because you make clean the outside of the cup and the dish, but
within you are full of rapine and uncleanness”
“Woe to you scribes and Pharisees,
hypocrites; because you are like the whited Sepulchers, which outwardly appear
to men beautiful, but within are full of dead men’s bones, and of all
filthiness”
“So you also, outwardly indeed appear
to men just; but inwardly you are full of hypocrisy and iniquity”
Prayer:
(Collect: Ember Wednesday after Pentecost)
Spiritual Reading:
CHAPTER V Of the
joy of a good conscience
10th
Day (Of the 12 preliminary days)
Theme:
Inordinate Thirst for Freedom (Liberation Theology)
For centuries the world has been crying
out for freedom. The ties of profession and family have been relaxed; the same
is true regarding the ties within the Society and state. But is this not the
wrong kind of freedom? To indulge every desire, to know no bounds – is not
freedom but “licentiousness”. But to “serve God is to reign”. To give oneself freely to God is the highest
FREEDOM of a Christian.
Consideration: (Picture for Meditation)
The
Prodigal son ran away from his father seeking for freedom, but became a slave;
only when he became enslaved to his Father, he enjoyed true freedom!
Interior Liberty
(1)
“Slavery”
to Jesus and Mary – frees us from the world.
“Liberty
of the Spirit” is the true freedom of the children of God. (Rom. 8:21) This
interior liberty is given to those who faithfully practice this total
consecration to the Immaculate Heart of Mary.
Through
this devotion we make ourselves Slaves of Jesus – by consecrating ourselves
entirely to Him – and as a reward of this enslavement, Our Lord
(i)
Frees
us from every scruple and servile fear, which might restrict, imprison or
confuse us.
See the heavenly reward of this enslavement!
“The Divine Mary, being the most
gracious and liberal of all pure creatures, never lets Herself be outdone in
love and liberality. For a little that is given to Her, She gives much of what
She has received from God.” (T.D. 181)
(2) An example of True Freedom (170)
Mother Agnes of Jesus, a Dominican Nun of the Convent of
Langeac in Auvergne, who died there in the odor of Sanctity in 1634 – when she
was only seven years old and was suffering great spiritual anguish, she heard a
voice telling her if she wished to be delivered from her anguish and protected
against all her enemies, she should make herself the Slave of Our Lord and His
Blessed Mother as soon as possible.
The
modernists speak much of “Liberation” today! They want liberation from poverty,
liberation from suffering, liberation from the laws of God! The Worldly Spirit
of liberation!
“Liberation
Theology” has spread within the Church, a false principle of values to liberate
the consciences of men from the “Sense of Sin”.
Psycho
Spirituality: “Fear of sin is the first enemy.” They say. According to them
nothing is sinful on earth! They apply the theory of Freud to prove that everything and every action (even sinful) has
its own “value” which one must respect.
This
false notion of “respect” to the religion of a non-Catholic neighbor is not
real charity. (The Pope Kissing the Koran; A Catholic priest garlanding the
great pagan statue “Vekkali Amman”). The excellent way of “loving our neighbor”
is to convert a sinner, or to deliver a soul from Purgatory. (T.D. 171)
By
this practice of total consecration we exercise charity towards our neighbor in
an eminent manner, seeing that we give him by Mary’s hands all that is most
precious to ourselves. We agree that all the Satisfactory (penitential) and
Impetratory (devotional) “value” of all our good actions and sufferings, should
be employed at Our Lady’s will, either for the conversion of sinners or the
deliverance of souls from Purgatory. This is the perfect way of loving our
neighbor. A thirst for Souls – is a real thirst for Freedom.
Beware of
inordinate thirst for Freedom.
Jesus teaches on
True and False Liberty: (Jn. 8: 31-36)
“Then
Jesus said to those who believed Him: If you continue in My word, you shall be
my disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you
free.”
“They answered Him: We are the seed of Abraham, and we have never been slaves
to any man: how sayest thou: you shall be free?”
“Jesus answered them: Amen, Amen, I say unto you: that whosoever committeth
sin, is the slave to sin.”
“Now the “slave” abideth not in the house for ever; but the Son abideth. If
therefore the Son shall make you free you shall be free indeed!”
St. Paul teaches
liberty is Freedom from Sin (Gal 5: 1-13)
“Stand
fast and be not held again under the yoke of bondage.”
Prayer: (Collect: 9th Sunday after
Pentecost)
Spiritual Reading:
CHAPTER XXXII Of self−denial and the
casting away all selfishness
1.
"My Son, thou canst not possess perfect liberty unless thou altogether
deny thyself. All they are enslaved who are possessors of riches, they who love
themselves, the selfish, the curious, the restless; those who ever seek after
soft things, and not after the things of Jesus Christ; those who continually
plan and devise that which will not stand. For whatsoever cometh not of God
shall perish. Hold fast the short and complete saying, 'Renounce all things,
and thou shalt find all things; give up thy lust, and thou shalt find rest.'
Dwell upon this in thy mind, and when thou art full of it, thou shalt
understand all things."
(1) Revelation
iii. 18.
11th
Day (Of the 12 preliminary days)
Theme:
Fear of Insecurity
In spite of all outward frivolities,
men are in the grip of fear. They would insure against any adversity at all
costs. They take out insurance policies against any conceivable evil, and make
themselves secure against all danger. But well says Holy Scripture: “Cursed is
the man who builds his hope on other men, and whose heart departs from the
Lord. For only in God is true security.”
Consideration:
(Picture for Meditation)
Widow’s mite (Lk. 21: 1-4)
Securing
our Graces and Merits
(The Secret of Mary – Nos. 40-42)
Mary is a firm anchor which holds Her
servants fast and saves them from being shipwrecked in the agitated Sea of the
World.
It is to Her that the Saints who have
saved themselves have been the most attached, and have done their best to
attach others, in order to persevere in virtue.
(175)
Theological virtues: (Super natural)
Faith, Hope, and Charity, infused into the human intellect and will by a
special grace of God.
Cardinal virtues: (heavenly virtues) Humility, Patience, Chastity, Kindness, Temperance,
Charity
and Diligence opposed to seven Cardinal sins.
Natural virtues: Scholasticism teaches
Prudence, Justice, Fortitude, and Temperance as derived from nature.
Compare Natural virtues, Cardinal
virtues, and Theological virtues.
1. Conformity of one's life and conduct
to moral and ethical principles: Uprightness; Rectitude.
(See at the end: Explanation of the
Seven Cardinal Virtues and Seven Cardinal sins)
Divine Mary always receives whatever
(virtue) we deposit with her; and what She has once received in Her depository,
She is obliged to keep safe for us. Just as a person with whom we have left a
thousand dollars in trust, would be under the obligation of keeping them safe
for us, so that if by his negligence they were lost, he would in justice be responsible
to us for them.
But the faithful Mary cannot let
anything which has been entrusted to Her be lost through her negligence. Heaven
and earth could pass away sooner that She could be negligent and faithless to
those who trust in Her. (176)
Poor children of Mary, your weakness is
extreme, your inconstancy is great, your inner nature is very much corrupted!
Yet do not be discouraged because of that. (177)
Pour into the bosom and the heart of
Mary all your treasures, all your graces, all your virtues. She is a “spiritual
vessel.” She has become rich as a “house of gold”, strong as a “tower of
David”, and pure as a “tower of Ivory”. (178)
O how happy is the man who has given
everything to Mary, and has entrusted himself to Mary, and lost himself in her,
in everything and for everything! (179)
Let us boldly say with St. John Damascene, “Having confidence
in You, O Mother of God, I shall be Saved! Being under Your protection I shall
fear nothing! With your help I shall fight with my enemies and put them to
flight!”
For as St. Bernard said: “When Mary holds me up, I do not fall; When She
protects me, I need not fear; When She leads me, I do not become fatigued; When
She is favorable to me, I arrive at the harbour of safety!”
(2) True Devotion – is a Sure Means of Keeping oneself in the Grace
of God and even of increasing that grace in Him.
Since
for love of Mary, we reduce ourselves freely to Slavery, She will dilate our
hearts, intensify our love and cause us to walk with giant strides in the way
of God’s commandments. (Secret of Mary - 41)
This
devotion is a secure means of going to Jesus Christ, because it is the very
characteristic of Our Blessed Mother to conduct us surely to Jesus, just as it
is the very characteristic of Jesus to conduct us surely to the Eternal Father.
He who wishes to have the fruit well ripened and well formed must have the tree
that produces it; if Jesus is the fruit of life, Mary is the tree of life. So
those who wish to have in themselves the operation of the Holy Ghost must have
His faithful and inseparable Spouse the divine Mary, who makes Him fertile and
fruit-bearing! The Holy Ghost, though He has the capacity in Himself, Chose to
make use of the Blessed Lady, to bring His fruitfulness into action. (22) This
is a mystery of grace unknown to even the wisest and most spiritual among the
Catholics. (T.D. 164)
Therefore
the more you look at Mary in your prayers, contemplations, actions and
sufferings, the more perfectly you will find Jesus. God said, “Fiat” – the
world came into existence. God greeted Mary: “Ave” – Jesus was formed in Her!
Say the “Hail Mary” – you will find the fruit of Mary! “Hail full of grace” =
[Hail the fullness of Divine grace (Incarnate wisdom)! Hail the fullness of
Divine Love (Holy Ghost)! Hail the fullness of Divinity (Divine Maternity)!]
When you say the Hail Mary, contemplate Jesus in the Divine Mary as the “fruit
of Her womb” and as the “fruit of our Salvation” hanging on the tree of the
Cross.
One
of the most infallible marks of our being conducted by the discernment of the
Spirit is our being very devout to Mary as said above.
The
frequent thought and loving invocation of Mary is a certain sign that the soul
is not dead by sin. (166)
We
can be sure that no faithful client of Mary will ever fall into (formal) heresy
or illusions. (167)
(1)
Never
without proper approval of the Church
Our spiritual security (Salvation of
Souls) would be in danger, if our devotion or religious institution becomes
independent of the Catholic Hierarchy. (Nulla Salus, Extra Ecclesiam)
Jesus
warns us of the illusions of Worldly Security (Lk. 12: 16-21)
“The land of a certain rich man brought
forth plenty of fruits.”
“And I will say to my soul: Soul, thou
hast much goods laid up for many years. Take thy rest; eat; drink, make good
cheer.”
“But God said to him: Thou fool, this
night do they require thy soul of thee, and whose shall those things be which
thou hast provided?”
“So is he that layeth up treasure for
himself and is not rich toward God.”
Reflection:
The children of the world are worried
about worldly security – (fund-raising and Bank accounts). Let us worry about our Union with Divine Mary!
Prayer: (Collect: 5th Sunday
after Epiphany)
Spiritual Reading:
CHAPTER XVII That
all care is to be cast upon God
Bravery, modesty, reverence,
selflessness.
Modest behavior, selflessness, and the
giving of respect. Humility is not thinking less of yourself, it is thinking of
yourself less. It is a spirit of
self-examination; a hermeneutic of suspicion toward yourself and charity toward
people you disagree with. The courage of the heart necessary to undertake tasks
which are difficult, tedious or unglamorous, and to graciously accept the
sacrifices involved. Reverence for those who have wisdom and those who
selflessly teach in love. Giving credit where credit is due; not unfairly
glorifying one's own self. Being faithful to promises, no matter how big or
small they may be. Refraining from despair. The ability to confront fear and
uncertainty, or intimidation.
Patience
(Patientia)
Mercy, sufferance (spirit of
suffering).
Forbearance and endurance through
moderation. Enduring the seemingly unbearable with patience and dignity.
Resolving conflicts and injustice peacefully, as opposed to resorting to
violence. Accepting the grace to forgive;[4] to show mercy to sinners. Creating
a sense of peaceful stability and community rather than suffering, hostility,
and antagonism.
Chastity
(Castitas)
Kindness
(Benevolentia)
Satisfaction, loyalty, compassion,
integrity.
Charity, compassion and friendship for
its own sake. Empathy and trust without prejudice or resentment. Unselfish love
and voluntary kindness without bias or spite. Having positive outlooks and
cheerful demeanor; to inspire kindness in others.
Temperance
(Temperantia)
Humanism, justice, honour, abstention.
Restraint, temperance, justice.
Constant mindfulness of others and one's surroundings; practicing self-control,
abstention, moderation and deferred gratification. Prudence to judge between
actions with regard to appropriate actions at a given time. Proper moderation
between self-interest, versus public-interest, and against the rights and needs
of others.
Charity:
(Caritas)
Will, benevolence, generosity,
sacrifice.
Generosity, charity, self-sacrifice;
the term should not be confused with the more restricted modern use of the word
charity to mean benevolent giving. In Christian theology, charity—or love
(agäpé) -- is the greatest of the three theological virtues.
Diligence
(Industria)
Persistence, effort, ethics, rectitude,
Sloth
Sloth
is defined as spiritual or emotional apathy, neglecting what God has spoken,
and being physically and emotionally inactive. It can also be either an
outright refusal or merely a carelessness in the performance of one's
obligations, especially spiritual, moral or legal obligations. Sloth can also
indicate a wasting due to lack of use, concerning a person, place, thing,
skill, or intangible ideal that would require maintenance, refinement, or
support to continue to exist.
12th
Day (Of the 12 preliminary days)
Theme:
The Last Things
The world does not like to be reminded
of the last things even though they are the only inescapable certainty for
everyone. “And it is appointed unto every man once to die and after this the
Judgment.” (Heb. 9:27). How necessary it is then to think about these things in
order to face them calmly, and not to be surprised by them.
Consideration: (Picture for Meditation) - Last Judgment
(Mt. 25: 31-34, 41)
(1)
The
certainty of death
Death alone is certain! It is uncertain
whether the infant that is just born will be poor or rich, whether he will have
good or bad health, whether he will die in youth or in old age. But it is
certain that he will die.
The story of a man who had built a
house with all comfort to live in. But it was missing a door – to carry him out
when he dies!
What would you say if you saw a man on
his way to the place of execution, laughing and joking, thinking only of
festivities and amusements? And are you not now on your way to death? We are
all condemned to death!
Memento Mori. We should continually
think of death. St. Charles Borromeo kept on his table a skull, in order that
he might continually contemplate it.
The story of a mother sending a parcel
to her daughter – to remind her of what she is (Mirror), what she will be
(skull) and what she should be (Statue of the Blessed Virgin).
“Letter to the Friends of the Cross” –
Nos. 20-23; 58.
“Dear friends of the Cross, we are all
sinners; there is not one of us who has not deserved hell, and I more than
anyone. Our offences have to be punished either in this world or in the next.
If we suffer for them now, we shall not suffer for them after death. If we
willingly accept punishment for them, this punishment will be an act of God’s
love, accompanied by consolation and merit, and followed by rewards both here
and in Eternity!” (21)
(2) The Judgment!
Fire will descend from heaven and shall
burn the earth with all palaces, churches, cities and kingdoms – all must be
reduced to one heap of ashes!
After the death of all men, the trumpet
will sound, and all will rise again. The Souls of the Just will descend from
Heaven to be united to the bodies with which they served God in this life; and
the unhappy Souls of the damned will come up from hell to take possession of
the accursed bodies with which they offended God.
The Just will stand at the right, and
the wicked will be driven to the left. The son will be separated from the
father, the husband from the wife! Which place do you think will fall to you?
Would you wish to be found at the right hand?
Jesus Christ will first turn to the
elect and address them: “Come, ye blessed of My Father, possess the kingdom
prepared for you from the foundation of the world.” The most Holy Mary will
bless her servants and will invite them with her into heaven.
Then turning to the left the Judge will say:
“depart from Me, you cursed, into everlasting fire.”
Then in the middle of that (Josephat)
valley a pit will be opened, into which the devils and the damned will fall! O
God! They will see those gates closed, never to be opened! Never, never for all
eternity!
(3)
Punishment
for all Eternity – Hell! (22, 23)
That serious Sin you have committed in
so short a time, that deliberate evil thought, that word, that action against
the law of God – they shall all be punished for all eternity, in the company of
the devils in hell, so long as God is God!
Do we think of this, when we have to
suffer some trial in this world? How fortunate we are to be able to exchange a
never ending and unprofitable punishment for a temporary and meritorious one –
just by bearing our “Cross” with patience! How many of our debts are still
unpaid? How many sins we have committed which, despite a sincere Confession and
heartfelt Contrition, will have to be atoned for in Purgatory for many years,
simply because in this world we contended ourselves with a few slight penances!
Reflection
of the First day:
(4) The Eternal Reward - Heaven! (58)
Look upwards and see the beautiful
“Crown” that awaits you in heaven if you carry your “cross” well! It is this
reward which sustained the patriarchs and prophets in their faith and
persecution, which inspired the Apostles and Martyrs in their labors and
torments!
Let us look upwards and see the Angels
who exclaim to us: “Be careful not to forfeit the crown which is marked out for
the cross you have received, if you bear it well. If you do not bear it well,
another will carry it in the right spirit and will take your crown with it.
Fight bravely and suffer patiently – and you will receive an eternal Kingdom.”
Listen to Our Lord saying: “I will give
my reward only to the one who suffers and is victorious through his practice.”
(Apoc. 2:7)
Let us answer: “Lord, treat me as you
will in this world in punishment for my sins, so long as you pardon them in
eternity.”
Jesus warns us to be Prepared for the
Coming of the Son of Man (Matt. 24: 36-44)
Prayer: (Collect: Mass of the Passion
of Our Lord Jesus Christ)
O Lord Jesus Christ, who did come down
to earth from the bosom of Thy Father in heaven, and didst shed Thy Precious
Blood to wash away our sins, we humbly entreat Thee that on the Judgment day,
at Thy right hand, we may be found worthy to hear from Thee these words: Come
ye blessed of My Father, possess your Kingdom prepared for you from the
foundation of the world (Matt. 25:34) who livest and reignest with the Father
in the unity of the Holy Ghost, world without end. Amen.
CHAPTER XXIII Of meditation upon death
1. Very quickly will there be an end of
thee here; take heed therefore how it will be with thee in another world.
To−day man is, and to−morrow he will be seen no more. And being removed out of
sight, quickly also he is out of mind. O the dullness and hardness of man's
heart, which thinketh only of the present, and looketh not forward to the
future. Thou oughtest in every deed and thought so order thyself, as if thou
wert to die this day. If thou hadst a good conscience thou wouldst not greatly
fear death. It was better for thee to watch against sin, than to fly from
death. If today thou art not ready, how shalt thou be ready tomorrow?
2. What doth it profit to live long,
when we amend so little? Ah! long life doth not always amend, but often the
more increaseth guilt. Oh that we might spend a single day in this world as it
ought to be spent! Many there are who reckon the years since they were
converted, and yet oftentimes how little is the fruit thereof. If it is a
fearful thing to die, it may be perchance a yet more fearful thing to live
long. Happy is the man who hath the hour of his death always before his eyes,
and daily prepareth himself to die. If thou hast ever seen one die, consider
that thou also shalt pass away by the same road.
3. When it is morning reflect that it
may be thou shalt not see the evening, and at eventide dare not to boast
thyself of the morrow. Always be thou prepared, and so live that death may
never find thee unprepared. Many die suddenly and unexpectedly. For at such an
hour as ye think not, the Son of Man cometh.(1) When that last hour shall come,
thou wilt begin to think very differently of thy whole life past, and wilt
mourn bitterly that thou hast been so negligent and slothful.
4. Happy and wise is he who now
striveth to be such in life as he would fain be found in death! For a perfect
contempt of the world, a fervent desire to excel in virtue, the love of
discipline, the painfulness of repentance, readiness to obey, denial of self,
submission to any adversity for love of Christ; these are the things which
shall give great confidence of a happy death. Whilst thou art in health thou
hast many opportunities of good works; but when thou art in sickness I know not
how much thou wilt be able to do. Few are made better by infirmity: even as
they who wander much abroad seldom become holy.
5. Trust not thy friends and kinsfolk,
nor put off the work of thy salvation to the future, for men will forget thee
sooner than thou thinkest. It is better for thee now to provide in time, and to
send some good before thee, than to trust to the help of others. If thou art
not anxious for thyself now, who, thinkest thou, will be anxious for thee
afterwards? Now the time is most precious. Now is the accepted time, now is the
day of salvation. But alas! that thou spendest not well this time, wherein thou
mightest lay up treasure which should profit thee everlastingly. The hour will
come when thou shalt desire one day, yea, one hour, for amendment of life, and
I know not whether thou shalt obtain.
6. Oh, dearly beloved, from what danger
thou mightest free thyself, from what great fear, if only thou wouldst always
live in fear, and in expectation of death! Strive now to live in such wise that
in the hour of death thou mayest rather rejoice than fear. Learn now to die to
the world, so shalt thou begin to live with Christ. Learn now to condemn all
earthly things, and then mayest thou freely go unto Christ. Keep under thy body
by penitence, and then shalt thou be able to have a sure confidence.
7. Ah, foolish one! Why thinkest thou
that thou shalt live long, when thou art not sure of a single day? How many
have been deceived, and suddenly have been snatched away from the body! How
many times hast thou heard how one was slain by the sword, another was drowned,
another falling from on high broke his neck, another died at the table, another
whilst at play! One died by fire, another by the sword, another by the
pestilence, another by the robber. Thus cometh death to all, and the life of
men swiftly passeth away like a shadow.
8. Who will remember thee after thy
death? And who will entreat for thee? Work - work now, oh dearly beloved, work
all that thou canst. For thou knowest not when thou shalt die, nor what shall
happen unto thee after death. While thou hast time, lay up for thyself undying
riches. Think of nought but of thy salvation; care only for the things of God.
Make to thyself friends, by venerating the saints of God and walking in their
steps, that when thou failest, thou mayest be received into everlasting
habitations.(2)9. Keep thyself as a stranger and a pilgrim upon the earth, to
whom the things of the world appertain not. Keep thine heart free, and lifted
up towards God, for here have we no continuing city.(3) To Him direct thy daily
prayers with crying and tears, that thy spirit may be found worthy to pass
happily after death unto its Lord. Amen.
(1) Matthew xxiv. 44. (2) Luke xvi. 9.
(3) Hebrews xiii. 14.
INTRODUCTION
2. The daily meditation of 10 to 30 minutes is necessary. Read the meditation points on the previous evening, recalling the truth on which you are to meditate the following morning. The meditation should always end in a loving colloquy to Jesus and Mary, and a firm resolution is to be made.
3. Practice zealously one or several virtues, and give an account of your progress when examining your conscience.
4. Assist at the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass and receive Holy Communion every day. Those who cannot do this should at least do so in a spiritual manner (Spiritual Communion) in order to live with Mary in the closest communion with Jesus.
One can make a retreat (spiritual exercises) of 33 days with the help of the mediation points and spiritual readings given here.
PART ONE
FIRST PERIOD
THE
TWELVE PRELIMINARY DAYS
THEME
– EMPTYING ONESELF OF THE SPIRIT OF THE WORLD
The first part of the preparation
consists in casting off the spirit of the world. The spirit of the world
essentially means the denial of the supreme domination of God over us. This
denial is expressed by sin and disobedience; thus it is opposed to the Spirit
of Christ and the Spirit of Mary. The spirit of the world manifests itself by
the “concupiscence of the flesh, by the concupiscence of the eyes and by the
pride of life”. (1 Jn. 2:16). Its works are: sin in all forms, and all
occasions by which the devil leads to sin.
Those who prepare themselves for the
Total Consecration therefore must first and foremost cast off sin and all
occasions to sin. On these 12 days they should make the following Examination
of conscience:
Do
I love the world – Do I have an attachment to the world – Am I attached to some
things, places or persons – Is there a habit of sin in me – Am I in danger of
falling into sin – Am I attracted by the allurements of the world – Do I seek
conveniences and comforts – Instead of hating riches and fashions, do I have a
desire for them – Do I practice modesty of eyes – Do I sacrifice self love and
self complacency – Am I humble of heart.
Virtues
to be practiced during these 12 days:
Self
denial
Love
of Poverty
Hidden
Life
Humility
Purity
Truthfulness
Obedience
Prayers to be recited during these 12
days:
Prayer before Meditation:
V. Come Holy Ghost
R. Fill the hearts of thy faithful, and
enkindle in them the fire of Thy will.
V. Send forth Thy Spirit, and they
shall be created.
R. And Thou shalt renew the face of the
earth.
Let
us Pray: O God, Who didst
instruct the hearts of the faithful by the light of the Holy Ghost: give to us,
in the same Spirit, to know what is right, and ever rejoice in His consolation.
Through Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, Who with Thee livest and reignest in
the unity of the same Holy Spirit, God. World without end. Amen.
1) Veni Creator Spiritus (Page: 7)
1.
1.Veni, creator Spiritus
mentes tuorum
visita,
imple superna
gratia,
quae tu
creasti pectora.
2. Qui diceris
Paraclitus,
altissimi
donum Dei,
fons vivus,
ignis, caritas
et spiritalis
unctio.
3. Tu
septiformis munere,
digitus
paternae dexterae
tu rite
promissum Patris
sermone ditans
guttura.
4. Accende
lumen sensibus,
infunde amorem
cordibus,
infirma nostri
corporis,
virtute
firmans perpeti.
5. Hostem
repellas longius
pacemque dones
protinus;
ductore sic te
praevio
vitemus omne
noxium.
6. Per te
sciamus da Patrem
noscamus atque
Filium,
te utriusque
Spiritum
credamus omni
tempore.
7. Deo Patri
sit gloria,
et Filio qui a
mortuis
Surrexit, ac
Paraclito,
in saeculorum
saecula. Amen.
V. Emitte Spiritum tuum, et
creabuntur:
R. Et renovabis faciem terrae.
Oremus
Deus qui corda fidelium Sancti
Spiritus illustratione docuisti: da nobis in eodem Spiritu recta sapere, et
de eius semper consolatione gaudere. Per Dominum nostrum Jesum Christum,
Filium tuum, qui tecum vivit et regnat in unitate eiusdem Spiritus Sancti
Deus. Per omnia saecula saeculorum. Amen.
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Come, Holy Ghost, Creator, come,
From thy bright heav’nly throne, Come take possession of our souls, And make them all thy own. Thou who art called the Paraclete, Best gift of God above, The living spring, the living fire, Sweet unction and true love. Thou who art sev’nfold in thy grace, Finger of God’s right hand His promise teaching little ones To speak and understand. O guide our minds with thy bless’d light, With love our hearts inflame; And with thy strength, which ne’er decays Confirm our mortal frame. Far from us drive our deadly foe; True peace unto us bring; And through all perils lead us safe Beneath thy sacred wing. Through thee may we the Father know, Through thee th’ eternal Son, And thee, the Spirit of them both, Thrice-blessed Three in One. All glory to the Father be, With his coequal Son; The same to thee, great Paraclete, While endless ages run. Amen.
V.
Send forth Thy Spirit, and they shall be created.
R.
And Thou shalt renew the face of the earth.
Let
us Pray
O
God, Who didst instruct the hearts of the faithful by the light of the Holy
Ghost: give to us, in the same Spirit, to know what is right, and ever
rejoice in His consolation. Through Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, Who with
Thee livest and reignest in the unity of the same Holy Spirit, God. World
without end. Amen.
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2) Ave Maris Stella (Page: 8)
AVE maris stella, HAIL, O Star of the ocean
Dei Mater alma,
God's own Mother blest,
atque semper Virgo, ever
sinless Virgin,
felix caeli porta., gate of heav'nly rest.
Sumens illud Ave
which from Gabriel came,
Gabrielis ore,
peace confirm within us,
funda nos in pace, changing Eve's
name.
mutans Hevae nomen.
Taking that sweet Ave,
Solve vincula reis,
make our blindness day,
profer lumen caecis Chase all evils
from us,
mala nostra pelle,
pray. for all blessings
bona cuncta posce.
Break the sinners' fetters,
Monstra te esse matrem: Show thyself
a Mother,
sumat per te preces, born
for us thine Infant
qui pro nobis natus, hear
our prayers through thine
tulit esse tuus.
may the Word divine
.
Virgo singularis, Virgin all excelling
inter omnes mites,
Mildest of the mild
nos culpis solutos, free from guilt preserve us
mites fac et castos meek and undefiled
.
Vitam praesta puram, Keep our life all spotless
iter para tutum:
make our way secure
Ut videntes Jesum
till we find in Jesus
semper collaetemur., joy
for evermore.
Sit laus Deo Patri,
Praise to God the Father,
summo Christo decus, honour to
the Son,
Spiritui Sancto, in
the Holy Spirit,
tribus honor unus.
Amen. be the glory one. Amen.
3)
Magnificat (Page: 9)
MAGNIFICAT IN LATIN
Magníficat
ánima mea Dóminum.
Et exultávit
spíritus meus: in Deo salutári meo.
Quia respéxit
humilitátem ancíllae suae:
Ecce enim ex
hoc beátam me dicent omnes generatiónes.
Quia fécit
mihi mágna qui pótens est: et sánctum nómen eius.
Et
misericórdia eius in progénies et progénies timéntibus eum.
Fécit
poténtiam in bráchio suo: dispérsit supérbos mente cordis sui.
Depósuit
poténtes de sede: et exaltávit húmiles.
Esuriéntes
implévit bonis: et dívites dimísit inánes.
Suscépit
Ísrael púerum suum: recordátus misericórdiae suae.
Sicut locútus
est ad patres nostros: Ábraham, et sémini eius in saecula.
Glória Patri,
et Fílio, et Spirítui Sancto,
Sicut erat in
princípio, et nunc, et semper, et in sæcula sæculórum. Amen.
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MAGNIFICAT IN ENGLISH
My soul doth
magnify the Lord.
And my spirit
hath rejoiced in God my Savior.
Because He
hath regarded the humility of His slave:
For behold
from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed.
Because He
that is mighty hath done great things to me; and holy is His name.
And His mercy
is from generation unto generations, to them that fear Him.
He hath
shewed might in His arm: He hath scattered the proud in the conceit of their
heart.
He hath put
down the mighty from their seat, and hath exalted the humble.
He hath
filled the hungry with good things; and the rich He hath sent empty away.
He hath
received Israel His servant, being mindful of His mercy:
As He spoke
to our fathers, to Abraham and to his seed for ever.
Glory be the
Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit,
As it was in
the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, forever and ever, Amen.
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Prayer before Meditation during these
12 days:
O Mary Immaculate, Spouse of the Holy
Ghost, Mother of Jesus and my Mother, my Mistress and Queen, to Thee I wish to
give myself entirely, that I may through Thee belong to Jesus entirely. Obtain
for me light and strength from the Holy Ghost, and cleanse me from the Spirit
of the World.
Prayer after Meditation: Anima Christi
Soul of Christ, sanctify me.
Body of Christ, save me.
Blood of Christ, inebriate me.
Water from the side of Christ, wash me.
Passion of Christ, strengthen me.
O good Jesus, hear me.
Within Thy wounds hide me.
In the hour of my death call me.
And bid me come to Thee.
That with Thy Saints, I may praise Thee
Forever and ever. Amen.
1st
Day (Of the 12 preliminary days)
Theme:
Jesus Christ is calling us to follow Him
Hear Our Lord and
Savior Jesus Christ inviting us to consecrate ourselves entirely and totally to
Him through the hands of His Most Holy Mother, because this is the safest and
most beautiful way of becoming a true disciple of Jesus Christ.
Consideration: (Picture for Meditation)
Peter is rebuked for the opposing of
Christ’s suffering and death. (Matt. 16: 20-24)
“Go behind me, Satan, thou art a
scandal unto me: because thou savourest not the things that are of God, but the
things that are of men.” 23
The
Signs of the Disciples of Jesus Christ:
(“Friends of the Cross”, by St. Louis De Monfort – No. 11 – 62) Reflect well on the remarkable words of Our Savior, “If any man will come after Me, let him
deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me” (Lk. 9:23)
Christian
Holiness (Perfection) consists in:
1. Resolving
to become a Saint (If any man WANTS)
2.
Practicing
Self-denial. (Let him DENY himself)
3. Accepting
Suffering (TAKE UP his cross)
4.
Imitating
Jesus Christ (FOLLOW Me) Action! in
Christlike Fashion.
Let
us explain these 4 signs:
1. Firm
determination to become a Saint
(Desire for perfection)
“If
any man will”, if anyone has a
genuine desire, a determination not prompted by nature, habit, self love, self
interest or human respect; but by the all conquering grace of the Holy Ghost.
For a
man to climb Mount Calvary, he must be courageous, heroic, resolute to treat
with indifference the world and the devil, his own body and his own desires; he
must be determined to leave all things, to undertake anything, and to suffer
everything for the sake of Jesus Christ.
The
man without this determination is only walking on one foot and flying on one
wing. He is not worthy of this call to total consecration!
Jesus
came to this world only to embrace the Cross and to die in its Divine embrace.
Love the Cross “with generous mind and willing heart”.
2. Renouncement
of Self:
“Let
him renounce himself”
One
who wants to follow Jesus who was so abase and crucified, must glory only in
the poverty, humiliation and suffering of His Cross.
Put
away from you those so called devout Catholics, who in their pride, cannot
endure being blamed without making some excuse, being attacked without
answering back, being humbled without exalting themselves.
Practice
Mortifications by using the various instruments of penance such as hair shirt,
discipline etc. – in order to train your body and mind to deny even the lawful
pleasures of the flesh and world. This practice of self-denial offered with the
sufferings of Christ merits graces enough to fight against temptations (consult
your Spiritual Director)
3. Love
of the Cross:
“Let
him take up his Cross” joyfully, embrace it lovingly, and carry it courageously
and not drag it, or take it off, or lighten it or hide it. Let him lift it up
high and carry it without complaint or grumbling.
Each one’s cross is being carved and fashioned by Christ
Himself with its 4 dimensions of Length, Breadth, Thickness and Depth:
Its Length consists of certain period of
days or months enduring slander, or lying on a sickbed, or being forced to beg,
or suffering from temptations, dryness, desolation and other interior trials.
Its breadth is made up of the most harsh
and bitter circumstances that arise through those around us – our relatives,
friends and fellow workers (helpers).
Its thickness is made up of the loss of
one’s possessions, humiliations, contempt, sufferings, illness, and spiritual trials
which come to us daily until death (not periodical).
Its depth is made up of the hidden trials without
being able to find any comfort from any human being, who will turn away from
you and make you suffer more.
Carry it on your shoulders, like Our Lord as your “Sword of
Victory” and the “Scepter of your Empire” – for nothing is so necessary, so
beneficial, so agreeable, or so glorious as to suffer something for Jesus
Christ.
4. Action
in Christ-like Fashion: (41-62)
Mere
suffering is not enough, because even the devil and the world (Communists) have
their martyrs! We must bear our cross as Jesus bore His.
1.
To
please God and to save souls!
2.
Avoid
the scandal of the weak (refrain from your good actions
in order to avoid scandal)
3.
Humble
yourself without making any attempt to reach the height.
4.
Ask
with fervent prayer to know the mysteries of the cross.
5.
When
you make a mistake – accept the humiliation as a punishment, or as an amendment
for our pride.
6.
Do not
take delight in hammering over some gift received from God.
7.
Beware
of spiritual pride.
§ Acknowledge that you are proud.
§ Acknowledge that your crosses are
punishments for your sins (not special marks of God’s love)
§ Admit that God is infinitely lenient
towards you.
§ Admit that your patience in suffering
is tinged with natural and human motives.
8.
Prefer
small unnoticeable crosses than of greater ones.
9.
Let
your love for the cross be supernatural (neither sensible nor rational).
10.
Be
resolved to suffer every kind of cross without expecting or choosing any.
11.
Consider
your suffering – as seen by the Eye of God!
§ As through the Hands of God!
§ In compassion with His Wounds and
Sorrows!
§ To merit the crown awaiting you in
Heaven.
12.
Never
murmur or deliberately complain:
§ Natural and involuntary (weeping and
sighing)
§ Rational (Justification with Superiors)
§ Sinful (Revenge or Impatience)
13.
Embrace
the cross with humility and gratitude.
14.
With
the help of the Spiritual Director take on some voluntary crosses.
Reflection:
Let us pay the penalty in this world voluntarily,
and let us carry our crosses. In the next world everything – even an idle word
– has to be paid for even to the last penny. If only we could wrench from the
hand of Satan the book of death in which he has recorded all our sins and the
punishment they deserve, we would discover how great the debt which we owe, and also how preferable
it is to suffer for years in this world than for just one day in the next.
Jesus
says to His Disciples:
“If any many will come after Me let him
deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me. For what doth it profit a
man, if he gain the whole world and suffer the loss of his own Soul? Or what
exchange shall a man give for his Soul?
For the Son of Man shall come in the
glory of His Father with His Angels: and then will He render to every man
according to his works.” (Matt. 16: 24 -27)
Prayer: (Collect taken from the Mass for the
Propagation of Faith)
O God Who desirest that all men should
be Saved and come to the knowledge of Thy truth, send, we beseech Thee, laborers
into Thy harvest, and grant them grace to speak Thy Word with all trust; that
Thy words may be run and be glorified, and that all nations may know Thee the
One True God, and Him Whom Thou hast Sent, Jesus Christ Thy Son Our Lord, who
with Thee liveth and reigneth in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God world without
end. Amen.
Spiritual
Reading:
THE IMITATION OF CHRIST
Imitation of
Christ: Book 1, Chapter 1,
CHAPTER I
Of the imitation of Christ, and of contempt of the world
and all its vanities
1.
He that followeth me shall not walk in darkness,(1) saith the Lord. These
are the words of Christ; and they teach us how far we must imitate His life and
character, if we seek true illumination, and deliverance from all blindness of
heart. Let it be our most earnest study, therefore, to dwell upon the
life of Jesus Christ.
2.
His teaching surpasseth all teaching of holy men, and such as have His Spirit
find therein the hidden manna.(2) But there are many who, though they
frequently hear the Gospel, yet feel but little longing after it, because they
have not the mind of Christ. He, therefore, that will fully and with true
wisdom understand the words of Christ, let him strive to conform his whole life
to that mind of Christ.
3.
What doth it profit thee to enter into deep discussion concerning the Holy
Trinity, if thou lack humility, and be thus displeasing to the Trinity? For verily
it is not deep words that make a man holy and upright; it is a good life which
maketh a man dear to God. I had rather feel contrition than be skillful in
the definition thereof. If thou knewest the whole Bible, and the sayings
of all the philosophers, what should all this profit thee without the love and
grace of God? Vanity of vanities, all is vanity, save to love God, and Him only to serve. That is the highest
wisdom, to cast the world behind us, and to reach forward to the heavenly
kingdom.
4.
It is vanity then to seek after, and to trust in, the riches that shall
perish. It is vanity, too, to covet honours, and to lift up ourselves on
high. It is vanity to follow the desires of the flesh and be led by them,
for this shall bring misery at the last. It is vanity to desire a long
life, and to have little care for a good life. It is vanity to take
thought only for the life which now is, and not to look forward to the things
which
shall be hereafter. It is vanity to love that which quickly passeth away, and not to hasten where eternal joy abideth.
shall be hereafter. It is vanity to love that which quickly passeth away, and not to hasten where eternal joy abideth.
5.
Be ofttimes mindful of the saying,(3) The eye is not satisfied with seeing, nor
the ear with hearing. Strive, therefore, to turn away thy heart from the
love of the things that are seen, and to set it upon the things that are not
seen. For they who follow after their own fleshly lusts, defile the
conscience, and destroy the grace of God.
(1)
John viii. 12. (2) Revelations ii. 17.
(3) Ecclesiastes i. 8.
(3) Ecclesiastes i. 8.
2nd Day (of the 12
Preliminary days)
Theme: The Two Companies
Two Camps stand opposed to each other.
We must choose one of them. Do we choose the side of Christ, or side of
Lucifer?
Consideration:
(Picture for Meditation)
“Blessed are ye” – “Woe to you” (Lk. 6: 20-26)
“And He, lifting up his eyes on His
disciples, said: Blessed are ye poor, for yours is the kingdom of God” (Lk.
20).
“Woe to you when men shall bless you; for according to these things did their fathers to the false prophets” (Lk. 26).
“Woe to you when men shall bless you; for according to these things did their fathers to the false prophets” (Lk. 26).
The followers of Christ
and the followers of the World
“Friends of the Cross”, by St. Louis De
Monfort. (Nos. 7-10)
1. Those
who follow Jesus Christ:
Consider
a little group – on the right climbing up a narrow road, made all the narrower
by the world’s immorality.
§ Our dear Savior leads the way
-
Barefooted
-
Crowned
with thorns
-
Covered
with blood
-
Laden
with a heavy cross.
§ Those who follow Him are only a handful
– Why?
§ Because the quiet voice of Jesus is not
heard amidst the tumult of the world, or
§ Because people lack the courage to
follow Him in His poverty, sufferings, humiliations and other crosses which His
servants must carry all the days of their life.
§ Because they speak about sorrow,
penance and prayer and indifference to worldly things.
But they continuously encourage one
another saying: “Now is the time to suffer and to mourn, to pray and to do
penance; now is the time to live in retirement and poverty, to humble and
mortify ourselves, because those who do not posses the spirit of Christ (which
is nothing but the spirit of the cross), do not belong to Him. Those who belong
to Christ do crucify all their self-indulgent passions and desires.
Have confidence, if God is on our side,
if He is within us and before us, who can be against us? He who is within us is
stronger than the one who is within the world.
This small and temporary distress we
suffer will bring us a tremendous and everlasting glory.
Only those are crowned who strive
according to the law of the gospel and not according to the maxims of the
world.
Let
us fight with all our strength, let us run with all speed that we may attain
this goal and win the crown.
2. Those
who follow the World.
On the left hand is the Company of the
World or of the devil. They are far more numerous, more imposing and more
illustrious.
Most of the fashionable people run to
join this Company. The road is wide and is continually being made wider than
ever; It is strewn with flowers, bordered with all kinds of amusements and
attractions and paved with Gold and Silver.
They urge each other to continue in
their evil ways without Scruple, calling to each other day after day: “Let us
eat and drink, sing and dance and enjoy ourselves; God is good, He does not
forbid us to amuse ourselves; we will not be punished just for this: “No, you
will not die”. And the serpent said to the woman: “No, you shall not die the
death. For God doth know that in what day so ever you shall eat thereof, your
eyes shall be opened: and you shall be as Gods, knowing good and evil.” And the
woman saw that the tree was good to eat, and fair to the eyes, and delightful
to behold: and she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave her husband
who did eat.” (Gen. 3: 4-6)
The spirit of the world – we should get
rid of, is this spirit of the devil – which made our first parents fall into
sin.
Jesus
teaches His Followers:
1. One
cannot serve two Masters:
“No man can serve two masters. For either he will hate the one and love the other: Or he will sustain the one and despise the other. You cannot server God and Mammon” (Matt. 6:24, Lk. 16:13)
“No man can serve two masters. For either he will hate the one and love the other: Or he will sustain the one and despise the other. You cannot server God and Mammon” (Matt. 6:24, Lk. 16:13)
2.
He who
is not with Christ, is against Him:
“He that is not
with Me, is against Me; and he that gathereth not with Me, scattereth.” (Matt.
12:30)
St. Paul:
3.
The
Spirit and Nature are opposed to each other:
“For
the flesh lusteth against the spirit: and the spirit against the flesh. For
these are contrary one to another: so that you do not the things that you
would.”
“Now the
works of the flesh are manifest”
§ Fornication, uncleanness, Immodesty,
Luxury.
§ Idolatry, witchcraft, enmities,
contentions.
§ Emulations, wraths, quarrels,
dissensions, sects.
§ Envies, murders, drunkenness, reveling
etc.
“But
the fruit of the Spirit is:
§ Charity, Joy, Peace, Patience.
§ Benignity, Goodness, Longanimity,
Mildness.
§ Faith, Modesty, Continence, Chastity.
“And they that are Christ’s have
crucified their flesh with the vices and concupiscence.” (Gal. 5:17-24)
Prayer:
(Post Communion of the Mass of Christ the King – Last Sunday of October)
We beseech Thee O Lord that we who
glory in our Service under the Standard of Christ the King, may be able to
reign with Him forever in His heavenly abode. Who with Thee, liveth and
reigneth in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen.
Spiritual
Reading:
Imitation of Christ: Book 2, Chapter 11.
CHAPTER
XI Of the fewness of those who love the Cross of Jesus
1. Jesus hath many lovers of His
heavenly kingdom, but few bearers of His Cross. He hath many seekers of
comfort, but few of tribulation. He findeth many companions of His table, but
few of His fasting.
All desire to rejoice with Him, few are
willing to undergo anything for His sake. Many follow Jesus that they may eat
of His loaves, but
few that they may drink of the cup of His passion. Many are astonished at His
Miracles, few follow after the shame of His Cross. Many love Jesus so long as
no adversities happen to them.
Many praise Him
and bless Him, so long as they receive any comforts from Him. But if Jesus hide
Himself and withdraw from them a little while, they fall either into
complaining or into too great dejection of mind.
2. But they who
love Jesus for Jesus' sake, and not for any consolation of their own, bless Him
in all tribulation and anguish of heart as in the highest consolation. And if
He should never give them consolation, nevertheless they would always praise
Him and always give Him thanks.
3. Oh what power
hath the pure love of Jesus, unmixed with any gain or love of self! Should not
all they be called mercenary who are always seeking consolations? Do they not
prove themselves lovers of self more than of Christ who are always seeking
their own gain and advantage? Where shall be found one who is willing to serve
God altogether for nought?
4. Rarely is any
one found so spiritual as to be stripped of all selfish thoughts, for who shall
find a man truly poor in spirit and free of all created things? "His value
is from afar, yea from the ends of the earth." A man may give away all his
goods, yet that is nothing; and if he do many deeds of penitence, yet that is a
small thing; and though he understand all knowledge, yet that is afar off; and
if he have great virtue and zealous devotion, yet much is lacking unto him,
yea, one thing which is the most necessary to him of all.
What is it then? That
having given up all things besides, he give up himself and go forth from
himself utterly, and retain nothing of self−love; and having done all things
which he knoweth to be his duty to do, that he feel that he hath done nothing.
Let him not reckon
that much which might be much esteemed, but let him pronounce himself to be in
truth an unprofitable servant, as the Truth Himself saith, When ye have done
all things that are commanded you, say, we are unprofitable servants. (1)
Then may he be truly poor and naked in spirit, and be able to say with the Prophet, As for me, I am poor and needy. (2)
Nevertheless, no man is richer than he, no man stronger, no man freer. For he knoweth both how to give up himself and all things, and how to be lowly in his own eyes.
Then may he be truly poor and naked in spirit, and be able to say with the Prophet, As for me, I am poor and needy. (2)
Nevertheless, no man is richer than he, no man stronger, no man freer. For he knoweth both how to give up himself and all things, and how to be lowly in his own eyes.
(1) Luke xvii. 10.
(2) Psalm xxv. 16.
The Two Companies (Friends of the Cross by St Louis De Monfort)
My dear brothers and
sisters, there are two companies that appear before you each day: the followers
of Christ and the followers of the world.
Our dear Saviour's company
is on the right, climbing up a narrow road, made all the narrower by the
world's immorality. Our Master leads the way, barefooted, crowned with thorns,
covered with blood, and laden with a heavy cross. Those who follow him, though
most valiant, are only a handful, either because his quiet voice is not heard
amid the tumult of the world, or because people lack the courage to follow him
in his poverty, sufferings, humiliations and other crosses which his servants
must carry all the days of their life.
On the left hand is the
company of the world or of the devil. This is far more numerous, more imposing
and more illustrious, at least in appearance. Most of the fashionable people
run to join it, all crowded together, although the road is wide and is
continually being made wider than ever by the crowds that pour along it like a
torrent. It is strewn with flowers, bordered with all kinds of amusements and
attractions, and paved with gold and silver.
On the right, the little
groups which follow Jesus speak about sorrow and penance, prayer and
indifference to worldly things. They continually encourage one another saying,
"Now is the time to suffer and to mourn, to pray and do penance, to live
in retirement and poverty, to humble and mortify ourselves; for those who do
not possess the spirit of Christ, which is the spirit of the cross, do not
belong to him. Those who belong to Christ have crucified all self-indulgent
passions and desires. We must be true images of Christ or be eternally
lost."
"Have
confidence," they say to each other. If God is on our side, within us and
before us, who can be against us? He who is within us is stronger than the one
who is in the world. The servant is not greater than his master. This slight
and temporary distress we suffer will bring us a tremendous and everlasting
glory. The number of those who will be saved is not as great as some people
imagine. It is only the brave and the daring who take heaven by storm, where
only those are crowned who strive to live according to the law of the Gospel
and not according to the maxims of the world. Let us fight with all our
strength, let us run with all speed, that we may attain our goal and win the
crown.
Such are some of the
heavenly counsels with which the "Friends of the Cross" inspire each other.
Those who follow the
world, on the contrary, urge each other to continue in their evil ways without
scruple, calling to one another day after day, "Let us eat and drink, sing
and dance, and enjoy ourselves. God id good; he has not made us to damn us. He
does not forbid us to amuse ourselves. We shall not be damned for so little. We
are not to be scrupulous. 'No, you will not die'."
Dear brothers and
sisters, remember that our loving Saviour has his eyes on you at this moment,
and he says to each one of you individually, "See how almost everyone
deserts me on the royal road of the Cross. Pagans in their blindness ridicule
my Cross as foolishness; obstinate Jews are repelled by it as by an object of
horror; heretics pull it down and break it to pieces as something contemptible.
"Even my own people -
and I say this with tears in my eyes and grief in my heart - my own children
whom I have brought up and instructed in my ways, my members whom I have
quickened with my own Spirit, have turned their backs on me and forsaken me by
becoming enemies of my Cross. 'Will you also go away?' Will you also desert me
by running away from my Cross like the world-lings, who thus become so many
Antichrists? Will you also follow the world; despise the poverty of my Cross in
order to seek after wealth; shun the sufferings of my Cross to look for
enjoyment; avoid the humiliations of my Cross in order to chase after the
honours of the world? 'There are many who pretend they are friends of mine and
protest that they love me, but in their hearts they hate me. I have many
friends of my table, but very few of my Cross.' (Imit. II, 11, 1)."
At this loving appeal of Jesus, let us rise above our human nature; let us not be seduced by our senses, as Eve was; but keep our eyes fixed on Jesus crucified, who leads us in our faith and brings it to perfection (Heb 12.2). Let us keep ourselves apart from the evil practices of the world; let us show our love for Jesus in the best way, that is, through all kinds of crosses. Reflect well on these remarkable words of our Saviour, "If anyone wants to be a follower of mine, let him renounce himself, and take up his cross and follow me" (Mt 16.24; Lk 9.23).
At this loving appeal of Jesus, let us rise above our human nature; let us not be seduced by our senses, as Eve was; but keep our eyes fixed on Jesus crucified, who leads us in our faith and brings it to perfection (Heb 12.2). Let us keep ourselves apart from the evil practices of the world; let us show our love for Jesus in the best way, that is, through all kinds of crosses. Reflect well on these remarkable words of our Saviour, "If anyone wants to be a follower of mine, let him renounce himself, and take up his cross and follow me" (Mt 16.24; Lk 9.23).
MEDITATION ON TWO STANDARDS
St. Ignatius Of Loyola)
The one of Christ, our
Commander-in-chief and Lord; the other of Lucifer, mortal enemy of our human
nature.
Prayer. The usual Preparatory Prayer.
First Prelude. The First Prelude is the narrative. It will be
here how Christ calls and wants all under His standard; and Lucifer, on the
contrary, under his.
Second Prelude. The second, a composition, seeing the place.
It will be here to see a great field of all that region of Jerusalem, where the
supreme Commander-in-chief of the good is Christ our Lord; another field in the
region of Babylon, where the chief of the enemy is Lucifer.
Third Prelude. The third, to ask for what I want: and it will
be here to ask for knowledge of the deceits of the bad chief and help to guard
myself against them, and for knowledge of the true life which the supreme and
true Captain shows and grace to imitate Him.
First Point. The first Point is to imagine as if the chief
of all the enemies seated himself in that great field of Babylon, as in a
great chair of fire and smoke, in shape horrible and
terrifying.
Second Point. The second, to consider how he issues a
summons to innumerable demons and how he scatters them, some to one city and
others to another, and so through all the world, not omitting any provinces,
places, states, nor any persons in particular.
Third Point. The third, to consider the discourse which he
makes them, and how he tells them to cast out nets and chains; that they have
first to tempt with a longing for riches -- as he is accustomed to do in most
cases -- that men may more
easily come to vain honor of the world, and then to vast pride. So that the
first step shall be that of riches; the second, that of honor; the third, that
of pride; and from these three steps he draws on to all the other vices.
So, on the contrary, one
has to imagine as to the supreme and true Captain, Who is Christ our Lord.
First Point. The first Point is to consider how Christ our
Lord puts Himself in a great field of that region of Jerusalem, in lowly place,
beautiful and attractive.
Second Point. The second, to consider how the Lord of all
the world chooses so many persons -- Apostles, Disciples, etc., -- and sends
them through all the world spreading His sacred doctrine through all states and
conditions of persons.
Third Point. The third, to consider the discourse which
Christ our Lord makes to all His servants and friends whom He sends on this
expedition, recommending them to want to help all, by bringing them first to
the highest spiritual poverty, and -- if His Divine Majesty would be served and
would want to choose them -- no less to actual poverty; the second is to be of
contumely and contempt; because from these two things humility follows. So that
there are to be three steps; the first, poverty against riches; the second,
contumely or contempt against worldly honor; the third, humility against pride.
And from these three steps let them induce to all the other virtues.
First Colloquy. One Colloquy to Our Lady, that she may get me
grace from Her Son and Lord that I may be received under His standard; and
first in the highest spiritual poverty, and -- if His Divine Majesty would be
served and would want to choose and receive me -- not less in actual poverty;
second, in suffering contumely and injuries, to imitate Him more in them, if
only I can suffer them without the sin of any person, or displeasure of His
Divine Majesty; and with that a HAIL MARY.
Second Colloquy. I will ask the same of the Son, that He may
get it for me of the Father; and with that say the SOUL OF CHRIST.
Third Colloquy. I will ask the same of the Father, that He may
grant it to me; and say an OUR FATHER.
Note. This Exercise will be made at midnight and
then a second time in the morning, and two repetitions of this same will be
made at the hour of Mass and at the hour of Vespers, always finishing with the
three Colloquies, to Our Lady, to the Son, and to the Father; and that on The
Pairs which follows, at the hour before supper.
The
Prodigal son ran away from his father seeking for freedom, but became a slave;
only when he became enslaved to his Father, he enjoyed true freedom!
“They answered Him: We are the seed of Abraham, and we have never been slaves to any man: how sayest thou: you shall be free?”
“Jesus answered them: Amen, Amen, I say unto you: that whosoever committeth sin, is the slave to sin.”
“Now the “slave” abideth not in the house for ever; but the Son abideth. If therefore the Son shall make you free you shall be free indeed!”
3rd Day (of the 12
Preliminary days)
Theme: Money and Wealth
The world is striving only for money
and property. People think that with these things they can buy happiness. The
Disciples of Christ know that even temporal goods are gifts of God. But they
also know that temporal goods are transitory
and can deceive. They know well the words of the Lord: “How hardly shall
they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God.” (Mk. 10:23)
Consideration:
(Picture for meditation) The Rich Young Man (Mk. 10: 17-23)
Universal
Mortification
“… One thing is wanting unto thee: go,
sell whatever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in
heaven; and come, follow me”.
“…. being struck sad at that saying, went away sorrowful; for he had great
possessions”.
“The Love of Eternal Wisdom” – by St.
Louis de Montfort (Chapter 16: Nos. 194 to 202)
To possess Jesus Christ, we must practice mortification, because “Wisdom
is not found in the land of them that live in delights” (Job 28:13). Those who
gratify all the desires of their passions and bodily senses cannot possess the
rest and ineffable peace of Jesus the eternal Wisdom.
This wisdom, to communicate Himself, is
not satisfied with a halfhearted mortification, a mortification of a few days,
but he requires universal, continuous,
courageous and prudent mortification!
What is that?
It is:
1.
A
Spirit of Renouncement
2.
A
Spirit of Detachment
3.
A
zealous Spirit of Penance
A
Spirit of Renouncement
It consists (i) either in giving up
entirely the possessions of this world
as did the Apostles, the first Christians and the Religious – which is the
best, the quickest and the surest means to possess wisdom; (ii) or at the very
least, detachment consists in possessing all worldly goods as though not
possessing them without being eager to acquire any, nor being anxious to retain
any, not complaining nor worrying when
they are taken away from us.
A
Spirit of Detachment (198-200)
Make no compromise with the spirit of
the world. Do not follow the showy
fashions of the worldlings in: dress, furniture, dwellings, banquets etc.
“Be not conformed to this world” (Rom. 12:2)
Do not believe or follow these false
maxims of the world – i.e.: do not think, speak and act like the people of the
world, because they think and speak evil of the great truth of religion! They
speak of the sinful things (not openly –but) as of virtue and propriety or as
of indifferent things and of little consequence (TV). This is the wickedness of
the devil. “The whole world is seated in wickedness (1Jn. 5: 19) now more than
ever.
Flee from the company of men – even
from that of devout persons, when association with them is useless and waste of
time.
Practice the three golden counsels of
St. Arsenius. Flee, Hide, Be Silent.
Flee as much as possible from the
company of men, as the greatest Saints have done. (Imitation 1 Ch 20:1)
“Let your life be hid with Christ in
God.” (Col. 3:3)
Be silent in the company of men to
converse with God.
He who knows how to keep silent is a
wise man. (Ecclus. 20:5)
A
Zealous Spirit of Penance: (201,202)
Mortify
the Body:
Not only by enduring patiently your
bodily ailments and sufferings – which the natural elements bring upon us, but
also by freely imposing on yourselves some penances and mortifications such as fasting, watching and other austerities.
“The wise or the saintly man has
brought his body into subjection by continual watching, fasting, disciplines,
cold, insufficient clothing and every kind of austerity; he made a contract
with his body not to give it any rest in this world.” (Office of St. Peter Alcantara)
St. Jude writes in his epistle verse 23 –
“They hated the spotted garment which is carnal.”
These exterior mortifications should be
undertaken by taking counsel (from
the spiritual director), and in order that these voluntary mortifications be good,
it is necessary that they be accompanied by mortification of “Self Will” and
judgment and by Holy Obedience.
Without this obedience, all exterior
mortification is spoiled by self love, and it often becomes more pleasing to
the devil than to God. “He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool.” (Prov.
28:26) “The prudent man doth all things with counsel.” (Prov. 13:16)
Hence, no considerable mortification
should be undertaken without taking counsel. Beware of self love which spoils
everything. By holy obedience the heart of our actions becomes meritorious.
Jesus
urges us to Practice Mortification
“Be
not solicitous for your life, what you shall eat, nor for your body, what shall
you put on. Is not the life more than the meat and the body more than the
raiment.
Be
not solicitous therefore saying, what shall we eat, what shall we drink, or
where with shall we be clothed?
Seek
ye first the kingdom of God and His Justice: and all these things shall be
added to you.” (Mt 6:25-33)
Prayer: (Collect: 3rd Sunday after
Pentecost)
O God, protector of those who hope in
Thee, without Whom is nothing strong, nothing holy: Increase in Thy mercy
toward us, that with Thee as ruler and guide we may so pass through the good
things of this world that, we may not lose those of eternity. Through Our Lord
Jesus Christ Thy Son Who is God, and liveth and reigneth with Thee in the Unity
of the Holy Ghost, world without end. Amen.
Spiritual
Reading:
Imitation
of Christ: Book 3, Chapter 31.
CHAPTER XXXI Of the neglect
of every creature, that the Creator may be found
1. O Lord, I still need more grace,
if I would arrive where neither man nor any other creature may hinder me. For
so long as anything keepeth me back, I cannot freely fly unto Thee. He desired eagerly thus to fly, who cried,
saying, Oh that I had wings like a dove, for then would I flee away and be at
rest. What is more peaceful than the single eye? And what more free than he
that desireth nothing upon earth? Therefore must a man rise above every
creature, and perfectly forsake himself, and with abstracted mind to stand and
behold that Thou, the Creator of all things, hast among Thy creatures nothing
like unto Thyself. And except a man be
freed from all creatures, he will not be able to reach freely after Divine
things. Therefore few are found who give themselves to contemplation, because
few know how to separate themselves entirely from perishing and created things.
2. For this much grace is necessary,
which may lift up the soul and raise it above itself. And except a man be
lifted up in the spirit, and freed from all creatures, and altogether united to
God, whatsoever he knoweth, whatsoever even he hath, it mattereth but little. He who esteemeth anything great save the one
only incomprehensible, eternal, good,
shall long time be little and lie low. For whatsoever is not God is nothing,
and ought to be counted for nothing. Great is the difference between a godly
man, illuminated with wisdom, and a scholar learned in knowledge and given to
books. Far nobler is that doctrine which floweth down from the divine fullness
above, than that which is acquired laboriously by human study.
3. Many are found who desire contemplation,
but they do not strive to practice those things which are required thereunto.
It is also a great impediment, that much is made of symbols and external signs,
and too little of thorough mortification. I know not how it is, and by what
spirit we are led, and what we who would be deemed spiritual are aiming at,
that we give so great labour and so eager solicitude for transitory and
worthless things, and scarcely ever gather our senses together to think at all
of our inward condition.
4. Ah, me! Forthwith after a little
recollection we rush out of doors, and do not subject our actions to a strict
examination. Where our affections are set we take no heed, and we weep not that
all things belonging to us are so defiled. For because all flesh had corrupted
itself upon the earth, the great deluge came. Since therefore our inmost
affections are very corrupt, it followeth of necessity that our actions also
are corrupt, being the index of a deficient inward strength. Out of a pure
heart proceedeth the fruit of good living.
5. We demand how much a man hath
done; but from how much virtue he acted, is not so narrowly considered. We ask
if he be strong, rich, handsome, clever, whether he is a good writer, good
singer, good
workman but how poor he may be in spirit, how patient
and gentle, how devout and meditative, on these things many are silent. Nature
looketh upon the outward appearance of a man grace turneth its thought to the
heart. The former frequently judgeth amiss; the latter trusteth in God, that it
may not be deceived.
4th Day (of the 12 Preliminary days)
Theme: Power and Glory
The world is greedy for power and
glory. Like slaves, men grovel before
those in power, and worship those who are famous. They clamber over corpses
to grab power; and shrink from nothing to gain the smallest piece of fleeting
glory.
The Disciples of Christ know that the
Lord “puts down the mighty from their seat” (Lk. 1:52), and that all earthly
glory is nothing, because only that which is Eternal has value.
Consideration:
(Picture for meditation)
The devil showing the Power and Glory
of the World to Jesus. (Lk. 4: 5-8)
How the Children of God Act
“True Devotion to Mary” – by St. Louis
de Montfort (Nos. 196-200)
The
children of God act like Jacob, unlike Esau.
Esau was strong and clever; relied only
on his strength and skill; did nothing to please his mother, sold his birth
right for a dish of lentils, and was jealous of his brother and persecuted him.
They
are like Jacob – practicing Christian perfection in Company with Mary.
(1)
They love interior life and remain in Prayer
with Mary. (196) Those who wish to empty themselves of the spirit of vain glory
– must have an esteem for quietness, should love the interior life and be
assiduous in prayer.
(2) They always remain in the company of
the Blessed Virgin whose “glory” is wholly interior, and who during Her whole
life, dearly loved seclusion and prayer. They
go out only to fulfill the duties of their state of life, in obedience to the
will of God and the will of their Mother.
At
times they see their brothers and sisters, working outside with great skill and
success, and winning the praise and glory of the “world”. But they know that
there is far more good, more glory and more joy in remaining hidden and
recollected with Our Lord in complete submission to Mary.
How
happy is the man who dwells in the house of Mary, where Jesus was the first to
dwell!
(3)
They entrust their body and soul into the
hands of Mary – to be sanctified.
As
Jacob brought to his mother (Rebecca) two young goats, the children of Mary
bring their body and their soul, with all their faculties to Mary:
That
She may accept them as Her own.
That
She may, by divesting them of self-love, make them die to sin and self.
That
She may cleanse their body and souls from every stain of inordinate affection
and guile.
That
She may clothe them with Her own virtues and graces according to the heavenly
Fathers’ taste and for His greater glory.
That
She may present them before God, as deserving of His Blessing.
(4) They are obedient to Mary and they follow her
advice in everything. (198)
Here
they are simply following the example set by Our Lord Himself, who spent thirty
of the 33 years, “glorifying” God in perfect and entire submission to Mary.
Jacob
received his blessing through the obedience to the advice of his mother
Rebecca. (At Cana – As a reward for following the advice of Our Lady, water was
changed into wine).
In
the same way all who are to receive the wondrous graces of God, will receive
them only as a result of their perfect obedience to Mary. On the other hand,
“the Esaus” (Protestants) will lose their blessing because of their lack of
“devotion” (submission) to the Blessed Virgin Mary.
(5) By hiding and loosing themselves in Mary, they
taste the sweetness of Jesus. (199)
They
have great confidence in the goodness and power of Mary. They rely on Her mercy
and kindness to obtain forgiveness for their sins. They experience Her Motherly
comfort in their troubles and anxieties. They even cast themselves into Her
Virginal Bosom, hide and loose themselves there, and are filled with pure love.
Thus they are purified from the least stain of sin. (Through the Sacrament of
Penance of course), and they find Jesus in all His fullness.
Sinners
on the other hand deplorably choose to satisfy their hunger elsewhere, because
as St. Gregory says: “they do not want to taste the Sweetness already prepared
within themselves and within Jesus and Mary.”
(6) They are happy in imitating the virtues of
Mary. (200)
“Happy
are those who keep My ways” (Prov. 8:32)
Happy
are those who practice the virtues of the Blessed Virgin. Her 10 Principal
Virtues are:
1. Profound
Humility
2. Lively
Faith
3. Blind
Obedience
4. Continual
Mental Prayer
5. Mortification
in all things
6. Ardent
Charity
7. Heroic
Patience
8. Angelic
Sweetness
9. Divine
Wisdom
10. Virginal
Purity
They
are happy in this world: because of the abundance of grace and sweetness which
Our Lady imparts to them out of Her fullness, and which they receive more
abundantly than others who do not imitate her so closely
They
are happy at the hour of death: which is sweet and peaceful for Our Lady is
usually there Herself to lead them home to everlasting joy.
They
will be happy for all eternity, because no servant of Mary who imitated Her
virtues during life has ever been lost.
On the other hand sinners, who do not
imitate Her virtues are unhappy during their life, at their death and for all
eternity. Those who are satisfied with going no further than joining Her
Confraternities, reciting a few prayers or performing other exterior devotional
exercises – are unhappy because they allow themselves to be led astray by false
devotions to Mary.
Jesus
warns those who serve the world and Satan in order to gain Power and Glory:
“And the devil led Him into a high
mountain and showed Him all the kingdoms of the World in a moment of time.
And he said to Him: To Thee will I give
all this power and the glory of them. For to me they are delivered; and to whom
I will, I give them.
If thou therefore will adore before me,
all shall be Thine.”
And Jesus answering said to him: “It is
written (Deut. 6:13): Thou shalt adore the Lord thy God, and Him only shall
thou serve.” (Lk. 4: 5-8)
Prayer: (Votive Collect for the virtue of
Humility)
O God who resisteth the proud and
bestoweth Thy Grace on the humble, grant us the Virtue of true Humility of
which Thine Only Begotten Son showed Himself an example to the faithful; that
we may never provoke Thee to anger by our pride, but rather receive through
humility the gifts of Thy Grace. Through the same Our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy
Son, Who is God, and liveth and reigneth with Thee in the Unity of the Holy
Ghost, world without end. Amen.
Spiritual
Reading
Imitation of Christ: Book 3, Chapter 4
CHAPTER IV How we must walk in truth
and humility before God
1. "My Son!
walk before Me in truth, and in the simplicity of thy heart seek Me
continually. He who walketh before Me in the truth shall be safe from evil
assaults, and the truth shall deliver him from the wiles and slanders of the
wicked. If the truth shall make thee free, thou shalt be free indeed, and shalt
not care for the vain words of men."
2. Lord, it is
true as Thou sayest; let it, I pray Thee, be so with me; let Thy truth teach
me, let it keep me and preserve me safe unto the end. Let it free me from all
evil and inordinate affection, and I will walk before Thee in great freedom of
heart.
3. "I will
teach thee," saith the Truth, "the things which are right and
pleasing before Me. Think upon thy sins with great displeasure and sorrow, and
never think thyself anything because of thy good works. Verily thou art a
sinner, liable to many passions, yea, tied and bound with them. Of thyself thou
always tendest unto nothing, thou wilt quickly fall, quickly be conquered,
quickly disturbed, quickly undone. Thou hast nought whereof to glory, but many
reasons why thou shouldest reckon thyself vile, for thou art far weaker than
thou art able to comprehend.
4. "Let,
therefore, nothing which thou doest seem to thee great; let nothing be grand,
nothing of value or beauty, nothing worthy of honour, nothing lofty, nothing
praiseworthy or desirable, save what is eternal. Let the eternal truth please
thee above all things, let thine own great vileness displease thee continually.
Fear,
5th Day (of the 12
Preliminary days)
Theme: Sensuality
The world today gives importance to the
senses. Nothing is Holy anymore in the sight of the world; and even that which
is most noble is drawn into the dirt. They try incessantly to excite the lowest
instinct in man by images (pornography), writings (novels), and words (bad
tales). But the Disciples of Christ know that all true love comes from God, and
therefore must be holy and pure. “Blessed are the pure of heart, for they shall
see God.” (Matt. 5: 8)
Consideration: (Picture for meditation)
The Second Sorrowful Mystery (Mk. 15:
15, Mt. 27: 26-31)
Our
Weakness and Frailty
“True Devotion to Mary” – by St. Louis
de Montfort (Nos. 87 to 89)
It is very difficult, considering our
weakness and frailty, to keep the graces and treasures we have received from
God.
(1)
We are
fragile vessels (87)
The
light of faith, the intimate knowledge and love of God which the Apostles experienced
in the company of Jesus and Mary; “God hath shined in our heats to give the
light of the knowledge of the Glory of God” (2Cor. 4:6). The intense light of
the Immaculate Heart of Mary, which made the children of Fatima see themselves
in God, Who was that light.
It
is this treasure of faith and love of God which is worth more than heaven and
earth which we possess in frail vessels, i.e. in a corruptible body and in a
weak and inconstant soul, which is easily disturbed and dejected by a mere
nothing. (2Cor. 6:7)
(2) We are surrounded by Evil Spirits (88)
The
evil spirits, who as skilful thieves, go around about us incessantly to devour
us, and to snatch from us in one moment, by a sin, all the graces and merits we
have gained for many years. How many have (priests) fallen miserably, and in
the twinkling of an eye have lost all their light and their brightness. It is
for want of humility that they fall so miserably. They trusted in themselves.
They thought themselves capable of guarding their treasures. Alas if only they
had known the admirable devotion to the Virgin Mother, they could have confided
their treasure to Her.
(3)
The
World is filled with corruption
The
world is so corrupt that it seems inevitable that even very pious and religious
hearts should be soiled by its dust. It is something of a miracle for anyone to
stand firm in the midst of that pestilential air without being infected by it.
It
is the Virgin Mother alone who works this miracle for those who truly love Her.
Sensuality
Sensuality is that habit which leads to
unlawful sexual behavior, consisting of fornication (premarital sex), adultery
(sexual perversions among married persons, against the virtue of marital
continence), homosexuality, and impure thoughts and actions with oneself.
The “concupiscence of the eyes” (1Jn.
2:16) weakens the strength of our soul against sin.
Most of this sensuality is caused by
women. Lucifer saw a weakness in women that he has chosen to use for corrupting
mankind.
Generally women are invested with a
sense of modesty and reserve – a God given quality!
But today they have chosen to show off
themselves and their bodies. This behavior of women in general has decayed the
whole Family System. It has caused the women to choose not to bring up their
children. The love of Christian Virtue is vanishing; and for what? It is for
the love of the flesh and worldly vanities.
Thus it has become extremely difficult
to persevere in holiness, because of the excessive corrupting influence of the
modern world. Hence it is necessary to enter into the interior and perfect
devotion to the Immaculate Heart of Mary.
Jesus teaches us to avoid all occasions
of the sin of impurity (evil thought, look and touch).
“You have heard that it was said, Thou
shall not commit adultery. But I tell you that he who casts his eyes on a woman
so as to lust after her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.
If thy right eye is the occasion of thy
falling into sin, pluck it out and cast it away from thee; better to lose one
part of thy body than to have the whole cast into hell.
And if thy right hand is an occasion of
falling, cut it off and cast it away from thee; better to lose one of thy
limbs, than to have thy whole body cast into hell.” (Matt. 5: 27-30)
Practical
solution: Meditate daily
on the passion and crucifixion of Jesus Christ.
Prayer: (Votive Collect against evil
thoughts)
Almighty and most merciful Lord,
favorably consider our prayers, and deliver our hearts from the temptation of
evil thoughts; that we may deserve to become worthy dwelling places of Thy Holy
Ghost. Through Our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Who is God, and liveth and
reigneth with Thee in the unity of the same Holy Ghost, world without end.
Amen.
(Votive Collect for Continence)
Burn, O Lord, our reins and our hearts,
with the fire of the Holy Ghost, that we may serve Thee with a pure heart.
Through Our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Who is God, and liveth and reigneth
with Thee in the unity of the Same Holy Ghost, world without end. Amen.
Spiritual
Reading:
Imitation of Christ: Book 1, Chapter 6,
CHAPTER VI Of inordinate affections
1. Whensoever a man desireth aught
above measure, immediately he becometh restless. The proud and the avaricious
men are never at rest; while the poor and lowly of heart abide in the multitude
of peace. The man who is not yet wholly dead to self, is soon tempted, and is
overcome in small and trifling matters. It is hard for him who is weak in
spirit, and still in part carnal and inclined to the pleasures of sense, to
withdraw himself altogether from earthly desires. And therefore, when he
withdraweth himself from these, he is often sad, and easily angered too if any
oppose his will.
2. But if, on the other hand, he yields
to his inclination, immediately he is weighed down by the condemnation of his
conscience; for that he hath followed his own desire, and yet in no way
attained the peace which he hoped for. For true
peace of heart is to be found in resisting passion, not in yielding to it.
And therefore there is no peace in the heart of a man who is carnal nor in him
who is given up to the things that are without him, but only in him who is
fervent towards God and living the life of the Spirit.
6th Day (of the 12
Preliminary days)
Theme: Intellectual Pride
How easily the world is deceived by
every delusion that comes in the guise of “Science”. People want to be
knowledgeable, and yet they presume to ridicule God’s revelation in the name of
the so called Science. But the disciple of Christ knows that there can be no contradiction
between Faith and true Science, and he humbly bows before the Mysteries of God
with Faith.
Consideration:
(Picture for meditation)
Tower
of Babel (Gen 11:4)
The Death Star, also an
incomplete structure or destroyed in part, as the headquarters for the Evil
Darth Vader looking for world Domination
The most used Tower
of Babel or Incomplete Tower, is actually the most important symbol of
the Illuminati, the Incomplete pyramid, which some believe is a
Stargate itself.
Illuminati Pyramid ultimate
Tower of Babel
The all seeing eye at
the top of the pyramid, is the eye of Lucifer and the Latin
writing means "New World Order", the Romans numerals at the
bottom of the structure are for the year 1776 when Illuminati was
created by Adam Weishaupt, at least by name (the founder of Free
masonry) , since Lucifer has had the plan all along. On a
future writing I will go into more depth on this matter. By taking out the
three different decimals of the Roman letters present, which are the values of
10, 100, 1000, we end up with the number of the Beast 666.
The capstone missing, will
be placed, whether symbolically or physically, on the coming of the Apollyon ,
which is the demon that possesses the Beast or World Leader, most likely in
2012, finally establishing the One World Government in its
totality.
The
Necessity of Devotion to Mary is often not understood, due to Intellectual
Pride.
Due
to the heresy of Modernism in the Catholic Church!
“True Devotion” by St. Louis de
Montfort. (Nos. 64 and 93)
(1)
Learned
Catholics (Theologians) think that Jesus will be offended by excessive honor
paid to Mary (Jansenism which opposed devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary)
It
is natural that Pagans and idolaters do not know Jesus Christ and consequently
have no knowledge about His Holy Mother.
It
is understandable that the Heretics and Schismatics, who have left Jesus Christ
and the Church, are not interested in the Mother of God.
But
Catholics, and even educated Catholics, who profess to teach the Faith to
others – do not know Jesus and His Holy Mother – except in a speculative, dry,
cold and indifferent way.
These
people very rarely speak of the Mother of God and of devotion to Her, because
they fear lest they do some injury to God in honoring, His Holy Mother too
much.
See
the Old Testament Figure (3Kings 2:19) King Solomon honoring his mother
(“and a throne was set for the king’s Mother and she sat on his right hand”)
They
protest loudly when they hear a devout Servant of Mary speak frequently with
conviction and vigor of devotion to Mary.
They
cannot bear those who speak about devotion to Mary as the surest way, or
wonderful secret for finding Jesus perfectly; they cry out against them and
give a thousand false reasons to prove that they should not talk so much about
Our Lady.
If
at all they sometimes speak about devotion to Mary, it is but only to stop
abuses made of it – not to promote the devotion to Mary.
They
consider the Rosary and the Scapular as devotions suitable only for old women
or ignorant people.
But
love for Mary is never a lessening of our love for Jesus. The more we imitate
and follow Mary, the more we love and glorify Jesus.
Is
Mary a stranger who has no Connection with Jesus? Does devotion to Mary in any
way hinder the devotion to Jesus?
On
the contrary, let us love Jesus ardently, so that we may obtain a true devotion
to His Holy Mother and inspire the whole earth with it.
(2) Proud Scholars criticize all the
practices of Devotion to Mary.
These
independent (liberal) and self-sufficient people criticize all those forms of
devotion to Mary just because such practices do not appeal to them. They call
in doubt all the miracles and pious stories, and narratives which testify to us
the power of the Most Holy Virgin (The power of God in Mary)
They
can’t bear seeing people on their knees before an altar or an image of Our
Lady; and they even accuse them of idolatry – as if they adored the wood or a
stone.
These
proud and worldly people are greatly to be feared. They do untold harm to
devotion to Our Lady because while pretending to correct abuses, they are but
too successful in turning people away from this devotion.
St. Paul warns the Christians against learned teachers, saying that
the world was to be saved not by human wisdom but by preaching of the Cross. (Grace
and Salvation – not through Secular Science and Media – but only through
Spiritual act of faith and love of God) 1Cor 1: 20-30.
“Hath
not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?” (Secular Science and Media)
“It
pleased God, by the foolishness of our preaching, to save them that believed”
(Not the modern Media, T.V., Radio)
“We
preach Christ Crucified... indeed a stumbling block and foolishness!”
“But
for those who are called... Christ crucified is the power of God and wisdom of
God.”
“For
see your vocation, brethren, that there are not many wise according to the
flesh, not many mighty, not many noble.”
“But
the foolish things of the world hath God chosen, that He may confound the
wise.”
Our Method of spreading true devotion should be
Orthodox, Spiritual and Invisible – not Secular.
The Principle is: Whatever “public” must be an
approved way of “Catholic Worship” and must be exclusively of a “Catholic
Forum”. No “News Column” in secular media (Newspaper, Radio, T.V.) should be
used for Sanctification and Salvation of Souls!
Faith
and love of God disappear before modern Science and attraction of the “human
wisdom” (Secular Media)
Prayer: (Collect: 13th Sunday after
Pentecost)
Almighty
and everlasting God, grant unto us an increase of faith, hope and charity: and
that we may obtain what Thou dost promise, make us do that which Thou dost
Command. Through Our Lord Jesus Christ, They Son, Who is God, and liveth and
reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost world without end. Amen.
Spiritual Reading
Imitation of Chris: Book 3, Chapter 43
CHAPTER XLIV Of not troubling ourselves
about outward things
1. "My Son, in many things it
behoveth thee to be ignorant, and to esteem thyself as one dead upon the earth,
and as one to whom the whole world is crucified. Many things also thou must
pass by with deaf ear, and must rather think upon those things which belong
unto thy peace. It is more profitable to turn away thine eyes from those things
that displease, and to leave each man to his own opinion, than to give thyself
to discourses of strife. If thou stand well with God and hast His judgment in
thy mind, thou wilt verily easily bear to be as one conquered."
2. O Lord, to what
have we come? Behold a temporal loss is mourned over; for a trifling gain we labour
and hurry; and spiritual loss passeth away into forgetfulness, and we rarely
recover it. That which profiteth little or nothing is looked after, and that
which is altogether necessary is negligently passed by; because the whole man
slideth away to outward things, and unless he quickly recovereth himself in
outward things he willingly lieth down.
Consideration: (Picture for Meditation) The Transfiguration (Luke 9: 29-35)
7th Day (of the 12
Preliminary days)
Theme: Worldly Fashions
How everything today disappears in the
crowd! How easily people betray their convictions! They repeat every slogan
they hear, and follow the silliest of fashions, purely because others are
following them. But Christianity endeavors to form personalities that have the
courage to swim against the tide.
The
Conduct of the Children of the World
(True Devotion 186, 187, 217-220)
(1)
Esau,
the elder brother, was strong and robust; clever and skillful with the bow; and
very successful in hunting.
This is the usual conduct of sinners. They
rely upon their own strength and skill in temporal affairs (Health,
Qualification, Employment etc.) They are very energetic, clever and
well-informed about things of the world; but very dull and ignorant about
things of heaven. (186)
(2) Esau seldom stayed at home, and always
worked out of doors.
The Children of the world can never
appreciate solitude and interior devotion. They are very seldom at home, that
is, in their own interior, the inner, essential abode that God has given to
every man to dwell in, after his own example. God always abides within Himself.
Sinners have no liking for solitude or
for interior devotion. They consider those who live an interior life – as
secluded from the world, and who work more interiorly than exteriorly, as narrow
minded and uncivilized! (187)
(213) “My dear friend”, says St. Louis
de Montfort, “be sure that if you remain faithful to the interior and exterior
practices of this devotion, the following effects will be produced in your
soul:
(1)
You
will perceive the evil inclinations of your fallen nature; as an object of
repugnance. (214)
(2)
You
will share Mary’s faith which moves and transforms hearts by gentle and
convincing arguments, because She is the Holy of Holies in which Saints are
formed and molded. (218)
Mary is a Mold capable of forming you
into the image and likeness of Jesus. Anyone who is cast in this Divine Mould
(Immaculate Heart of Mary), is quickly shaped and molded into Jesus (219)
Many persons rely on their own skill,
ingenuity and art, and they chip away endlessly with a chisel on hard stone or
wood, in an effect to produce a likeness of Jesus. But most of them do not
manage to produce a recognizable likeness!
But those who accept his Secret of
Grace (Total Consecration) do not rely on their own skill, but on the
perfection of the mould. They cast themselves into the beautiful mould of Mary
where they become true image of Her Son. (220)
Many
Fashions of the 20th Century
Our Lady of Fatima predicted and warned
us about the immoral fashions – when she told little Jacinta that, “Many
fashions would be introduced in the 20th century, which would
greatly offend God.” Our Lady also told that, “More Souls would go to hell for
the sins of the flesh than for any other reason.”
“Fashions” are immoral suggestions of
Lucifer! And our own children and youth have become susceptible to these
immoral suggestions. There is no sense of shame anymore! Many high school
students seem totally ignorant of what “MODESTY” is! It has become impossible
to visit even our Catholic Families, without encountering girls dressed
immodestly. Very sad indeed!
Now with today’s fashions, can you
imagine seeing the Blessed Virgin dressed like our girls? No She is the most
perfect Model of Purity! She is the divine and human mould of the God-Man! She
always appears in Her apparitions so fully dressed that no outline of her body
could be seen! No one who looks at Her or her images will be tempted to have an
impure thought. All our children and their mothers are gifted with a luminous and
delicate grace, which illumines their face with heavenly splendor equal to that
of our divine Mother Mary, the most beautiful of all women! “Tota Pulchra Es O
Maria” (“You are all beautiful, O Mary”).
“Piety ought to make a woman more
gracious, for she ought to possess both Supernatural grace and natural
graciousness” – St. Francis de Sales.
Therefore they have to reproduce, even
exteriorly, the royal grace of Mary. “Mary is beauty and grace” (Speciosa et
formosa).
People find fault with those Rev. Sisters
who throw away their religious garb – they are right. But on the one hand, if
we ask why these religious do this, they say that they would like to be as all
women are. If you ask these women on the other hand, Why do they become more
and more indecent – What would be their answer? Because all are indecent! (All
are falling into the pit) and therefore, these fashions, do they really glorify
women? No! Those who design these immodest fashions are not interested in
making woman appear more beautiful, but to appear more lustful! “Freedom” to
dress as they like, in fact leads to a life of “Slavery” to the world and its
evils! Actually to be “free” is to be “sinless” – to be holy. Holiness is the
real beauty of the soul that never dies!
The Modern Priests and Nuns – remove
their religious garb – and show a scandalous bad example – in conformity with
the Spirit of the World.
Let
us Hear the Words of Jesus:
“Let them alone: They are blind leading
the blind. And if the blind lead the blind both fall into the pit. (Mt. 15:14)
Prayer:
(Collect: 4th Sunday after
Easter)
O
God, Who makest the minds of the faithful to be of one will, grant to They
people to love that which Thou Commandest, and desire that which Thou promise;
that so, among the changing things of this world, our hearts may be set where
true Joys are to be found. Through Our Lord Jesus Christ, They Son, Who is God,
and liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost world without
end. Amen.
Spiritual Reading:
Imitation of Christ: Book 3, Chapter 36
CHAPTER XXXVI Against vain judgments of
men
1. "My Son, anchor thy soul firmly
upon God, and fear not man's judgment, when conscience pronounceth thee pious
and innocent. It is good and blessed thus to suffer nor will it be grievous to
the heart which is humble, and which trusteth in God more than in itself. Many
men have many opinions, and therefore little trust is to be placed in them. But
moreover it is impossible to please all. Although Paul studied to please all
men in the Lord, and to become all things to all men,(1) yet nevertheless with
him it was a very small thing that he
should be judged
by man's judgment."(2)
2. He laboured
abundantly, as much as in him lay, for the building up and the salvation of
others; but he could not avoid being sometimes judged and despised by others.
Therefore he committed all to God, who knew all, and by patience and humility
defended himself against evil speakers, or foolish and false thinkers, and
those who accused him according to their pleasure. Nevertheless, from time to
time he replied, lest his silence should become a stumbling−block to those who
were weak.
3. "Who art
thou, that thou shouldst be afraid of a man that shall die? To−day he is, and
to−morrow his place is not found. Fear God and thou shalt not quail before the
terrors of men. What can any man do against thee by words or deeds? He hurteth
himself more than thee, nor shall he escape the judgment of God, whosoever he
may be. Have thou God before thine eyes, and do not contend with fretful words.
And if for the present thou seem to give way, and to suffer confusion which
thou hast not deserved, be not angry at this, nor by impatience diminish thy
reward; but rather look up to Me in heaven, for I am able to deliver thee from
all confusion and hurt, and to render to every man according to his
works."
(1) 1 Corinthians
ix. 22. (2) 1 Corinthians iv. 3.
8th
Day (Of the 12 preliminary days)
Theme:
Love of Pleasure (Entertainment)
The world is in the grip of a pleasure
seeking frenzy. It cannot get enough noise and amusements to distract it from
its own interior emptiness. The Christian has no contempt for true Joy. But his
joy comes from within. Therefore he has no need for the ever increasing
excitements.
Consideration: (Picture for Meditation) The rich man and Lazarus. (Lk: 16-26)
The
Pomp of the Devil and the Children of the World
(True Devotion – 188-190)
(1) They
care little or nothing to please Mary
(188)
Esau
never went out of his way to please his mother. Likewise the children of the
world without any affection to Our Lady, recite or mumble a few prayers to Her.
They even speak well of Her sometimes. And it is true that they do not really
hate Her.
Nevertheless
they cannot bear to see anyone love Her tenderly, for they do not have for Her
any of the affection of Jacob. They find fault with the honor which her
Servants faithfully pay her to win Her affection. They think this kind of
devotion is not necessary for Salvation. They believe they have done all they
need to receive Her graces, without even thinking of amending their lives.
These
are the Modernists/worldly minded people who encourage all kinds of
entertainments and amusements, and pretend that they are going to make them
Holy. They engage themselves in sinful occasions and say that these are
necessary for life on earth. They find it impossible to close their senses to
the worldly excitements; and pretend that they are transforming these
excitements into prayer and evangelization!
V.G:
Fr. Barboza – Biblical dance drama, Guitar Mass, Clown Mass etc.
True
Devotion to Mary on the contrary, teaches that (T.D. 256): “Mary’s Faithful
Servants must despise this corrupted world. They should hate and shun its
allurements and follow the exercises of the contempt of the world.”
V.G:
St. Louis de Montfort – in the Bar!
(2) They
sell the Joys of Paradise for the Pleasures of the World. (189)
Esau
was such a glutton, and so fond of eating that he sold his Birth Right for a
dish of lentils. (Gen. 25: 29-34)
The
Children of the world, think only of this world, they love only the world, they
speak and act only for the world and its pleasures. For a passing moment of
pleasure, for a fleeting wisp of honor, for a piece of hard earth, they barter
away their Baptismal grace their robe of innocence and their heavenly
inheritance!
Those
who prepare themselves for the Total Consecration, must therefore put a full
stop for all those pomp of the devil – (Remember your Baptismal Promise).
Dancing, drinking, gambling and all kind of impurities are pomp of the devil.
(3) They
Continuously Hate and Persecute the Elect. (190)
Like
Cain, Esau was extremely jealous of his brother and persecuted him
relentlessly.
The
children of the world persecute the sincere followers of Jesus and Mary –
always, either openly or secretly. These children of Mary are a burden to them.
(To the Modernists)
They
despise them, criticize them, ridicule them, impoverish them, hunt them down
and trample them into the dust; while they themselves are making fortunes,
enjoying themselves, getting good positions for themselves and living in
comfort.
But
the humble and faithful Children of Mary “will sleep without gold or silver
(port folio), and without concern in the midst of other priests, ecclesiastics
and clerics. Yet they will have their silver wings of the dove enabling them to
go wherever the Holy
Ghost
calls them, filled as they are, with the resolve to seek the glory of God and
the Salvation of Souls. (T.D. 58)
Do not
be agitated by the waves of modernism and worldly love of pleasures.
Be
Steadfast in your Faith and Morals in spite of the great calamities brought
over the Church by the devil. Be ready rather to be persecuted and discarded,
than to yield to the temptations of the modern allurements of the world.
The Warning of St. James, the Apostle: (Jam 5: 1-5)
1.)
“Go to
now, ye rich men, weep and howl in your miseries, which shall come upon you.
2.)
“Your
riches are corrupted: and your garments are moth eaten,
3.)
“Your
gold and silver is cankered: and the rust of them shall be for a testimony
against you, and shall eat your flesh like fire. You have stored up to yourselves
wrath against the last days.
4.)
“You
have feasted upon earth; and in riotousness you have nourished your hearts in
the day of slaughter.”
Prayer:
(Collect: 6th Sunday after
Epiphany)
Grant
we beseech Thee, almighty God, that being occupied with Holy Thoughts, we may
seek, both in words and works, to do what is pleasing in Thy sight. Through Our
Lord Jesus Christ, They Son, Who is God, and liveth and reigneth with Thee in
the unity of the Holy Ghost world without end. Amen.
Spiritual Reading:
Imitation of Christ: Book 1, Chapter 24
CHAPTER XXIV Of
avoiding of curious inquiry into the life of another
"My Son, be
not curious, nor trouble thyself with vain cares. What is that to thee? Follow
thou Me.
1. For what is it
to thee whether a man be this or that, or say or do thus or thus? Thou hast no
need to answer for others, but thou must give an answer for thyself. Why
therefore dost thou entangle thyself? Behold, I know all men, and I behold all
things which are done under the sun; and I know how it standeth with each one,
what he thinketh, what he willeth, and to what end his thoughts reach. All
things therefore are to be committed to Me; watch thou thyself in godly peace,
and leave him who is unquiet to be unquiet as he will. Whatsoever he shall do
or say, shall come unto him, for he cannot deceive Me.
2. "Trouble
not thyself about the shadow of a great name, nor about the friendship of many,
nor about the love of men towards thee. For these things beget distraction and
great sorrows of heart. My word should speak freely unto thee, and I would
reveal secrets, if only thou didst diligently look for My appearing, and didst
open unto Me the gates of thy heart. Be sober and watch unto prayer,(2) and
humble thyself in all things."
(1) John xxi. 12.
(2) 1 Peter iv. 7.
9th
Day (Of the 12 preliminary days)
Theme:
Insincerity (Hypocrisy)
Sincerity no longer has value in the
world; lies, deceit and hypocrisy are in charge. Everyone would appear to be
that which he is not. Cunningness and unscrupulous cheating are generally
praised as cleverness, to the extent that even the faithful suffer the
contagion from this evil. Jesus Christ was absolutely sincere. There was no
guile and deceit in Him. Sincerity in word and principle, sincerity at all cost.
That is the goal which the Christian sets for Himself.
Consideration: (Picture for Meditation) John the Baptist Preaching. (Lk 3: 2-14)
No compromise with the Spirit of the
World (“Love of Eternal Wisdom” Nos. 198-200)
Those who hide their sins and evil
habits under the mantle of the Blessed Virgin, so as to appear different from
what they are – these are the worst type of hypocrites. They join
Confraternities and wear emblems of Our Lady to be thought of as good people.
(102)
On
the contrary true devotion to Our Lady is Holy, that is it leads to avoid Sin
and to imitate the Virtues of Mary.
(108)
The world is full of hypocrisy and
make-up. But those who practice true devotion should firmly resolve:
(1)
Not to
follow the showy fashions of worldlings:
-
In
appearance (in dress and behavior, without make-up) (198)
-
In
dress (without ornaments)
-
In
furniture (without luxury)
-
In
dwellings (without extravagance)
-
In
banquets (without indulgence, i.e: selective and abundance
-
Or any
other worldly modes and ways of living.
But follow the “Simplicity” and
“Poverty” of the Holy Family. “Be not conformed to this world” (Rom. 12:2). The
practice of this spirit of simplicity and poverty is “more necessary” than is
generally thought of.
V.G.: The use of cream, perfumes,
lipstick, eyebrow, tilak etc. – all these are used to make oneself attractive,
to hide some imperfections and to “deceive” others!
- is it not sheer insincerity and
hypocrisy?
-This “cheating” affair is being
praised as decency and culture!
(2) Resolve not to Believe or to Follow the
False Maxims of the World: (In thought and
word) (133)
The people of the world, they think and
speak evil of all the great truths of the religion.
If you consider their false opinions
and their words – v.g: Their teaching on “Contraception” – Their doctrine is as
opposed to that of Jesus Christ as darkness is opposed to light.
True, they do not tell brazen lies;
they cleverly cover their lying with a clock of truth; (The apparent necessity
of population control) But murder is murder, fornication is fornication,
impurity is impurity.
They pretend to be not conscious of
telling untruths, yet they lie!
Nor do they teach sinful things openly
– but they speak of them as of virtue, propriety or else as indifferent things
and of little consequence.
Their cleverness (cunningness) which
the devil has taught the world in order to cover up the heinousness of sin and
lying, is the wickedness spoken of by St. John when he writes, “The whole world
is seated in wickedness”. (1Jn. 5: 19)
(3)
Resolve
to be Hid from the Company and from Idle curiosity of men (200)
We must flee, as much as possible, from
the company of men, not only from that of worldlings, but even that of devout
persons, (when it is useless and a waste of time); because it is hurtful and
dangerous.
“As often as I have been among men, I
Have returned less a Man”, said a Philosopher. This we experience often when we
talk too long.
If you withdraw yourself form
superfluous talk and idle visits, as also from giving ear to news and to
reports (newspaper, radio, etc.) you will find time sufficient and proper to
employ yourself in good meditations. The great Saints avoided the company of
men – so did the Blessed Virgin Mary – as much as they could, and chose to live
for God in secret. (Imitation, Bk 1, chp 20: 1)
Seek therefore a proper time to retire
to yourself, and think of the benefits of God. Let curiosities alone!
Jesus warns the Pharisees: (Mt. 23:
25-28)
“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees,
hypocrites; because you make clean the outside of the cup and the dish, but
within you are full of rapine and uncleanness”
“Thou blind Pharisee, first make clean
the inside of the cup and of the dish, that the outside may become clean”
“Woe to you scribes and Pharisees,
hypocrites; because you are like the whited Sepulchers, which outwardly appear
to men beautiful, but within are full of dead men’s bones, and of all
filthiness”
“So you also, outwardly indeed appear
to men just; but inwardly you are full of hypocrisy and iniquity”
Prayer:
(Collect: Ember Wednesday after Pentecost)
May
the Holy Comforter, Who proceedeth from Thee, enlighten our minds, we beseech
Thee, O Lord, and lead us into all truth, even as Thy Son has promised, Who
with Thee, liveth and reigneth in the
unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen.
Spiritual Reading:
Imitation of Christ: Book 2, Chapter 4
CHAPTER V Of the
joy of a good conscience
1. The testimony
of a good conscience is the glory of a good man. Have a good conscience and
thou shalt ever have joy. A good conscience is able to bear exceeding much, and
is exceeding joyful in the midst of adversities; an evil conscience is ever
fearful and unquiet. Thou shalt rest sweetly if thy heart condemn thee not.
Never rejoice unless when thou hast done well. The wicked have never true joy,
nor feel internal peace, for there is no peace, saith my God, to the wicked.(1)
And if they say "we are in peace, there shall no harm happen unto us, and
who shall dare to do us hurt?" believe them not, for suddenly shall the
wrath of God rise up against them, and their deeds shall be brought to nought,
and their thoughts shall perish.
2. To glory in
tribulation is not grievous to him who loveth; for such glorying is glorying in
the Cross of Christ. Brief is the glory which is given and received of men.
Sadness always goeth hand in hand with the glory of the world. The glory of the
good is in their conscience, and not in the report of men. The joy of the
upright is from God and in God, and their joy is in the truth. He who desireth
true and eternal glory careth not.
10th
Day (Of the 12 preliminary days)
Theme:
Inordinate Thirst for Freedom (Liberation Theology)
For centuries the world has been crying
out for freedom. The ties of profession and family have been relaxed; the same
is true regarding the ties within the Society and state. But is this not the
wrong kind of freedom? To indulge every desire, to know no bounds – is not
freedom but “licentiousness”. But to “serve God is to reign”. To give oneself freely to God is the highest
FREEDOM of a Christian.
Consideration: (Picture for Meditation)
The Prodigal Son (Lk. 15: 11-21)
Interior Liberty
(True Devotion – Nos. 169-170)
(1)
“Slavery”
to Jesus and Mary – frees us from the world.
“Liberty
of the Spirit” is the true freedom of the children of God. (Rom. 8:21) This
interior liberty is given to those who faithfully practice this total
consecration to the Immaculate Heart of Mary.
Through
this devotion we make ourselves Slaves of Jesus – by consecrating ourselves
entirely to Him – and as a reward of this enslavement, Our Lord
(i)
Frees
us from every scruple and servile fear, which might restrict, imprison or
confuse us.
(ii)
He
opens our hearts and fills them with Holy Confidence in God, helping us to
regard God as our Father.
(iii)
He
inspires us with a generous and filial love.
See the heavenly reward of this enslavement!
“The Divine Mary, being the most
gracious and liberal of all pure creatures, never lets Herself be outdone in
love and liberality. For a little that is given to Her, She gives much of what
She has received from God.” (T.D. 181)
“The Blessed Virgin is not only
retained in the plenitude of the Saints, but she also retains and keeps the
saints in their plenitude, so that it may not diminish. She prevents their
virtues from being dissipated, their merits from perishing, their graces from
being lost, the devil from harming them, and She prevents even Our Lord from
punishing them when they sin.” (St. Bonaventure)
It is She who obtains for those who
attach themselves to her, the grace of fidelity to God and perseverance.
Happy are those who enter into Mary, as
into the Ark of Noe! The waters of the deluge of sin, which drown so great a
portion of the world, shall do no harm to them; for “they who work in me shall
not sin”, says Mary (Ecclus. 24: 30) (T.D. 174, 175)
(2) An example of True Freedom (170)
Mother Agnes of Jesus, a Dominican Nun of the Convent of
Langeac in Auvergne, who died there in the odor of Sanctity in 1634 – when she
was only seven years old and was suffering great spiritual anguish, she heard a
voice telling her if she wished to be delivered from her anguish and protected
against all her enemies, she should make herself the Slave of Our Lord and His
Blessed Mother as soon as possible.
As
soon as she returned home, she gave herself completely to Jesus and Mary as
their slave, although she had never known anything about this devotion before.
She found an iron chain, put it around her waist and wore it until her death.
After this (enslavement), all her anguish and scruples disappeared and she
found great peace and liberty of heart!
One
day the Blessed Virgin appeared to Mother Agnes and put a gold chain around her
neck to show how happy She was to see that Mother Agnes had become the slave of
Her and Her Son. And St. Cecilia who
accompanied Our Lady, said to her: “Happy are the faithful slaves of the Queen
of Heaven, for they will enjoy true freedom!” “Tibi Servire Libertas = to serve
Thee is Liberty”
The
modernists speak much of “Liberation” today! They want liberation from poverty,
liberation from suffering, liberation from the laws of God! The Worldly Spirit
of liberation!
“Liberation
Theology” has spread within the Church, a false principle of values to liberate
the consciences of men from the “Sense of Sin”.
Psycho
Spirituality: “Fear of sin is the first enemy.” They say. According to them
nothing is sinful on earth! They apply the theory of Freud to prove that everything and every action (even sinful) has
its own “value” which one must respect.
V.G.: “Devil Worship” – in the Pagan religion
and “Divorce” in the Protestant religion. As a result we see a false sense of
Religious Liberty. “One World Religion” – “Salvation in all Religions” (The
heretical teaching of Vat. II)
This
false notion of “respect” to the religion of a non-Catholic neighbor is not
real charity. (The Pope Kissing the Koran; A Catholic priest garlanding the
great pagan statue “Vekkali Amman”). The excellent way of “loving our neighbor”
is to convert a sinner, or to deliver a soul from Purgatory. (T.D. 171)
By
this practice of total consecration we exercise charity towards our neighbor in
an eminent manner, seeing that we give him by Mary’s hands all that is most
precious to ourselves. We agree that all the Satisfactory (penitential) and
Impetratory (devotional) “value” of all our good actions and sufferings, should
be employed at Our Lady’s will, either for the conversion of sinners or the
deliverance of souls from Purgatory. This is the perfect way of loving our
neighbor. A thirst for Souls – is a real thirst for Freedom.
Beware of
inordinate thirst for Freedom.
Jesus teaches on
True and False Liberty: (Jn. 8: 31-36)
“Then
Jesus said to those who believed Him: If you continue in My word, you shall be
my disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you
free.”
“They answered Him: We are the seed of Abraham, and we have never been slaves to any man: how sayest thou: you shall be free?”
“Jesus answered them: Amen, Amen, I say unto you: that whosoever committeth sin, is the slave to sin.”
“Now the “slave” abideth not in the house for ever; but the Son abideth. If therefore the Son shall make you free you shall be free indeed!”
St. Paul teaches
liberty is Freedom from Sin (Gal 5: 1-13)
“Stand
fast and be not held again under the yoke of bondage.”
“For
you, brethren, have been called unto liberty: only make not liberty an occasion
to the flesh, but by charity of the spirit serve one another.”
Prayer: (Collect: 9th Sunday after
Pentecost)
Almighty
and Merciful God, graciously keep us from all harm; that being set free both in
soul and body we may do, with ready minds, Thy Holy Will. Through Our Lord
Jesus Christ, They Son, Who is God, and liveth and reigneth with Thee in the
unity of the Holy Ghost world without end. Amen.
Spiritual Reading:
Imitation of Chris: Book 3, Chapter 32
CHAPTER XXXII Of self−denial and the
casting away all selfishness
1.
"My Son, thou canst not possess perfect liberty unless thou altogether
deny thyself. All they are enslaved who are possessors of riches, they who love
themselves, the selfish, the curious, the restless; those who ever seek after
soft things, and not after the things of Jesus Christ; those who continually
plan and devise that which will not stand. For whatsoever cometh not of God
shall perish. Hold fast the short and complete saying, 'Renounce all things,
and thou shalt find all things; give up thy lust, and thou shalt find rest.'
Dwell upon this in thy mind, and when thou art full of it, thou shalt
understand all things."
2.
O Lord, this is not the work of a day, nor children's play; verily in this short
saying is enclosed all the perfection of the religious.
3.
"My son, thou oughtest not to be turned aside, nor immediately cast down,
because thou hast heard the way of the perfect. Rather oughtest thou to be
provoked to higher aims, and at the least to long after the desire thereof. Oh
that it were so with thee, and that thou hadst come to this, that thou wert not
a lover of thine own self, but wert ready always to My nod, and to his whom I
have placed over thee as thy father. Then shouldest thou please Me exceedingly,
and all thy life should go on in joy and peace. Thou hast still many things to
renounce, which if thou resign not utterly to Me, thou shalt not gain what thou
seekest. I counsel thee to buy of Me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be
rich,(1) that is heavenly wisdom, which despiseth all base things. Put away
from thee earthly wisdom, and all pleasure, whether common to men, or thine
own.
4.
"I tell thee that thou must buy vile things with those which are costly
and great in the esteem of men. For wonderfully vile and small, and almost
given up to forgetfulness, doth true heavenly wisdom appear, which thinketh not
high things of itself, nor seeketh to be magnified upon the earth; many honour
it with their lips, but in heart are far from it; it is indeed the precious
pearl, which is hidden from many."
(1) Revelation
iii. 18.
Widow’s mite (Lk. 21: 1-4)
11th
Day (Of the 12 preliminary days)
Theme:
Fear of Insecurity
In spite of all outward frivolities,
men are in the grip of fear. They would insure against any adversity at all
costs. They take out insurance policies against any conceivable evil, and make
themselves secure against all danger. But well says Holy Scripture: “Cursed is
the man who builds his hope on other men, and whose heart departs from the
Lord. For only in God is true security.”
Consideration:
(Picture for Meditation)
Securing
our Graces and Merits
(The Secret of Mary – Nos. 40-42)
(1)
Preserving
and Increasing the grace of God.
Mary is a firm anchor which holds Her
servants fast and saves them from being shipwrecked in the agitated Sea of the
World.
It is to Her that the Saints who have
saved themselves have been the most attached, and have done their best to
attach others, in order to persevere in virtue.
(175)
Theological virtues: (Super natural)
Faith, Hope, and Charity, infused into the human intellect and will by a
special grace of God.
Cardinal virtues: (heavenly virtues) Humility, Patience, Chastity, Kindness, Temperance,
Charity
and Diligence opposed to seven Cardinal sins.
Natural virtues: Scholasticism teaches
Prudence, Justice, Fortitude, and Temperance as derived from nature.
Compare Natural virtues, Cardinal
virtues, and Theological virtues.
1. Conformity of one's life and conduct
to moral and ethical principles: Uprightness; Rectitude.
2. Moral excellence: goodness,
righteousness.
3. A particular moral excellence:
Chastity, virginity.
4. A good or admirable quality or
property: the virtue of knowing one's weaknesses.
5. Effective force: (power or potency):
a charm with the virtue of removing warts (defects).
(See at the end: Explanation of the
Seven Cardinal Virtues and Seven Cardinal sins)
Divine Mary always receives whatever
(virtue) we deposit with her; and what She has once received in Her depository,
She is obliged to keep safe for us. Just as a person with whom we have left a
thousand dollars in trust, would be under the obligation of keeping them safe
for us, so that if by his negligence they were lost, he would in justice be responsible
to us for them.
But the faithful Mary cannot let
anything which has been entrusted to Her be lost through her negligence. Heaven
and earth could pass away sooner that She could be negligent and faithless to
those who trust in Her. (176)
Poor children of Mary, your weakness is
extreme, your inconstancy is great, your inner nature is very much corrupted!
Yet do not be discouraged because of that. (177)
Pour into the bosom and the heart of
Mary all your treasures, all your graces, all your virtues. She is a “spiritual
vessel.” She has become rich as a “house of gold”, strong as a “tower of
David”, and pure as a “tower of Ivory”. (178)
O how happy is the man who has given
everything to Mary, and has entrusted himself to Mary, and lost himself in her,
in everything and for everything! (179)
Let us boldly say with St. John Damascene, “Having confidence
in You, O Mother of God, I shall be Saved! Being under Your protection I shall
fear nothing! With your help I shall fight with my enemies and put them to
flight!”
For as St. Bernard said: “When Mary holds me up, I do not fall; When She
protects me, I need not fear; When She leads me, I do not become fatigued; When
She is favorable to me, I arrive at the harbour of safety!”
(2) True Devotion – is a Sure Means of Keeping oneself in the Grace
of God and even of increasing that grace in Him.
Since
for love of Mary, we reduce ourselves freely to Slavery, She will dilate our
hearts, intensify our love and cause us to walk with giant strides in the way
of God’s commandments. (Secret of Mary - 41)
This
devotion is a secure means of going to Jesus Christ, because it is the very
characteristic of Our Blessed Mother to conduct us surely to Jesus, just as it
is the very characteristic of Jesus to conduct us surely to the Eternal Father.
He who wishes to have the fruit well ripened and well formed must have the tree
that produces it; if Jesus is the fruit of life, Mary is the tree of life. So
those who wish to have in themselves the operation of the Holy Ghost must have
His faithful and inseparable Spouse the divine Mary, who makes Him fertile and
fruit-bearing! The Holy Ghost, though He has the capacity in Himself, Chose to
make use of the Blessed Lady, to bring His fruitfulness into action. (22) This
is a mystery of grace unknown to even the wisest and most spiritual among the
Catholics. (T.D. 164)
Therefore
the more you look at Mary in your prayers, contemplations, actions and
sufferings, the more perfectly you will find Jesus. God said, “Fiat” – the
world came into existence. God greeted Mary: “Ave” – Jesus was formed in Her!
Say the “Hail Mary” – you will find the fruit of Mary! “Hail full of grace” =
[Hail the fullness of Divine grace (Incarnate wisdom)! Hail the fullness of
Divine Love (Holy Ghost)! Hail the fullness of Divinity (Divine Maternity)!]
When you say the Hail Mary, contemplate Jesus in the Divine Mary as the “fruit
of Her womb” and as the “fruit of our Salvation” hanging on the tree of the
Cross.
One
of the most infallible marks of our being conducted by the discernment of the
Spirit is our being very devout to Mary as said above.
The
frequent thought and loving invocation of Mary is a certain sign that the soul
is not dead by sin. (166)
We
can be sure that no faithful client of Mary will ever fall into (formal) heresy
or illusions. (167)
Whoever,
then, wishes to put aside the “fear of insecurity” (state of mortal sin) and
advance in the way of perfection, let him embrace, with a great heart and
willing mind, this devotion of Total Consecration to the Immaculate Heart of
Mary. Let him enter into this excellent way, opened by Jesus Himself, our Sole
Head; and a member of this Head cannot make a mistake in passing by the same
way! (168)
(1)
Never
without proper approval of the Church
Our spiritual security (Salvation of
Souls) would be in danger, if our devotion or religious institution becomes
independent of the Catholic Hierarchy. (Nulla Salus, Extra Ecclesiam)
This devotion is rightfully authorized
by the Bulls of the Popes, pastoral letters of the Bishops; and many Saints and
illustrious persons have practiced it. (T.D. 159-163) Beware of becoming
“Charismatics” or “Schismatics”.
Jesus
warns us of the illusions of Worldly Security (Lk. 12: 16-21)
“The land of a certain rich man brought
forth plenty of fruits.”
“And he said within himself: I will
pull down my barns and build greater; and into them will I gather all things
that are grown to me and my goods” (Mohan C. Lazarus)
“And I will say to my soul: Soul, thou
hast much goods laid up for many years. Take thy rest; eat; drink, make good
cheer.”
“But God said to him: Thou fool, this
night do they require thy soul of thee, and whose shall those things be which
thou hast provided?”
“So is he that layeth up treasure for
himself and is not rich toward God.”
Reflection:
The children of the world are worried
about worldly security – (fund-raising and Bank accounts). Let us worry about our Union with Divine Mary!
Prayer: (Collect: 5th Sunday
after Epiphany)
Keep,
we beseech thee, O Lord, Thy household, in their unceasing goodness: that as it
relies only on the hope of Thy Heavenly Grace, so it may ever be defended by
Thy protection. Through Our Lord Jesus Christ, They Son, Who is God, and liveth
and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost world without end. Amen.
Spiritual Reading:
Imitation of Christ: Book 3, Chapter 17
CHAPTER XVII That
all care is to be cast upon God
1.
“My Son, suffer me to do with thee what I will; I know what is expedient for
thee. Thou thinkest as a man, in many things thou judgest as human affection
persuadeth thee."
2.
Lord, what Thou sayest is true. Greater is Thy care for me than all the care
which I am able to take for myself. For too insecurely doth he stand who casteth
not all his care upon Thee, Lord, so long as my will standeth right and firm in
Thee, do with me what Thou wilt, for whatsoever Thou shalt do with me cannot be
aught but good. Blessed be Thou if Thou wilt leave me in darkness: blessed also
be Thou if Thou wilt leave me in light. Blessed be Thou if Thou vouchsafe to
comfort me, and always blessed be Thou if Thou cause me to be troubled.
3.
"My Son! even thus thou must stand if thou desirest to walk with Me. Thou
must be ready alike for suffering or rejoicing. Thou must be poor and needy as
willingly as full and rich."
4.
Lord, I will willingly bear for Thee whatsoever Thou wilt have to come upon me.
Without choice I will receive from Thy hand good and evil, sweet and bitter,
joy and sadness, and will give Thee thanks for all things which shall happen
unto me. Keep me from all sin, and I will not fear death nor hell. Only cast me
not away for ever, nor blot me out of the book of life. Then no tribulation
which shall come upon me shall do me hurt.
THE SEVEN CAPITAL VIRTUES AND SEVEN
CAPITAL SINS (Explanation)
Humility
(Humilitas)
Bravery, modesty, reverence,
selflessness.
Modest behavior, selflessness, and the
giving of respect. Humility is not thinking less of yourself, it is thinking of
yourself less. It is a spirit of
self-examination; a hermeneutic of suspicion toward yourself and charity toward
people you disagree with. The courage of the heart necessary to undertake tasks
which are difficult, tedious or unglamorous, and to graciously accept the
sacrifices involved. Reverence for those who have wisdom and those who
selflessly teach in love. Giving credit where credit is due; not unfairly
glorifying one's own self. Being faithful to promises, no matter how big or
small they may be. Refraining from despair. The ability to confront fear and
uncertainty, or intimidation.
Patience
(Patientia)
Mercy, sufferance (spirit of
suffering).
Forbearance and endurance through
moderation. Enduring the seemingly unbearable with patience and dignity.
Resolving conflicts and injustice peacefully, as opposed to resorting to
violence. Accepting the grace to forgive;[4] to show mercy to sinners. Creating
a sense of peaceful stability and community rather than suffering, hostility,
and antagonism.
Chastity
(Castitas)
Purity, knowledge, honesty, wisdom .
Discretion of sexual conduct according
to one's state in life; the practice of courtly love. Cleanliness through
cultivated good health and hygiene, and maintained by refraining from
intoxicants. To be honest with oneself, one's family, one's friends, and to all
of humanity. Embracing of moral wholesomeness and achieving purity of
thought-through education and betterment. The ability to refrain from being
distracted and influenced by hostility, temptation or corruption.
Kindness
(Benevolentia)
Satisfaction, loyalty, compassion,
integrity.
Charity, compassion and friendship for
its own sake. Empathy and trust without prejudice or resentment. Unselfish love
and voluntary kindness without bias or spite. Having positive outlooks and
cheerful demeanor; to inspire kindness in others.
Temperance
(Temperantia)
Humanism, justice, honour, abstention.
Restraint, temperance, justice.
Constant mindfulness of others and one's surroundings; practicing self-control,
abstention, moderation and deferred gratification. Prudence to judge between
actions with regard to appropriate actions at a given time. Proper moderation
between self-interest, versus public-interest, and against the rights and needs
of others.
Charity:
(Caritas)
Will, benevolence, generosity,
sacrifice.
Generosity, charity, self-sacrifice;
the term should not be confused with the more restricted modern use of the word
charity to mean benevolent giving. In Christian theology, charity—or love
(agäpé) -- is the greatest of the three theological virtues.
Love, in the sense of an unlimited
loving kindness towards all others, is held to be the ultimate perfection of
the human spirit, because it is said to both glorify and reflect the nature of
God. Such love is self-sacrificial. Confusion can arise
Diligence
(Industria)
Persistence, effort, ethics, rectitude,
Sloth
Pride is an inwardly directed emotion that carries two common
meanings. With a negative connotation pride refers to an inflated sense of
one's personal status or accomplishments, often used synonymously with hubris.
With a positive connotation, pride refers to a satisfied sense of attachment
toward one's own or another's choices and actions, or toward a whole group of
people, and is a product of praise, independent self-reflection, or a fulfilled
feeling of belonging. Philosophers and social psychologists have noted that
pride is a complex secondary emotion which requires the development of a sense
of self and the mastery of relevant conceptual distinctions (e.g., that pride
is distinct from happiness and joy) through language-based interaction with
others.[1] Some social psychologists identify it as linked to a signal of high
social status.[2] In contrast pride could also be defined as a disagreement
with the truth. One definition of pride in the first sense comes from St.
Augustine: "the love of one's own excellence".[3] A similar
definition comes from Meher Baba: "Pride is the specific feeling through
which egoism manifests."[4] In this sense, the opposite of pride is either
humility or guilt; the latter in particular being a sense of one's own failure
in contrast to Augustine's notion of excellence.
A
zealous and careful nature in one's actions and work; decisive work ethic,
steadfastness in belief, fortitude, and the capability of not giving up.
Budgeting one's time; monitoring one's own activities to guard against
laziness. Upholding one's convictions at all times, especially when no one else
is watching (integrity).
Anger or wrath is an intense emotional
response. Often it indicates when one's basic boundaries are violated. Some
have a learned tendency to react to anger through retaliation. Anger may be
utilized effectively by setting boundaries or escaping from dangerous
situations. Sheila Videbeck describes anger as a normal emotion that involves a
strong uncomfortable and emotional response to a perceived provocation.[1]
Raymond Novaco of UC Irvine, who since 1975 has published a plethora of
literature on the subject, stratified anger into three modalities: cognitive
(appraisals), somatic-affective (tension and agitations), and behavioral
(withdrawal and antagonism).[2] William DeFoore, an anger-management writer,
described anger as a pressure cooker: we can only apply pressure against our
anger for a certain amount of time until it explodes.[3]
Lust
is an emotion or feeling of intense desire in the body. The lust can take any
form such as the lust for knowledge, the lust for sex or the lust for power. It
can take such mundane forms as the lust for food as distinct from the need for
food. Lust is a psychological force producing intense wanting for an object, or
circumstance fulfilling the emotion.
Greed (Latin, avaritia), also known as
avarice, cupidity, or covetousness, is the inordinate desire to possess wealth,
goods, or objects of abstract value with the intention to keep it for one's
self, far beyond the dictates of basic survival and comfort. It is applied to a
markedly high desire for and pursuit of wealth, status, and power.
Gluttony, derived from the Latin gluttire
meaning to gulp down or swallow, means over-indulgence and over-consumption of
food, drink, or wealth items to the point of extravagance or waste. In some
Christian denominations, it is considered one of the seven deadly sins—a
misplaced desire for food that may result in hunger among the needy
Envy (from Latin invidia) is an emotion which "occurs when
a person lacks another's superior quality, achievement, or possession and
either desires it or wishes that the other lacked it".[1]
Sloth is one of the seven deadly sins in Christian moral
tradition, particularly within Catholicism, referring to laziness.
Sloth
is defined as spiritual or emotional apathy, neglecting what God has spoken,
and being physically and emotionally inactive. It can also be either an
outright refusal or merely a carelessness in the performance of one's
obligations, especially spiritual, moral or legal obligations. Sloth can also
indicate a wasting due to lack of use, concerning a person, place, thing,
skill, or intangible ideal that would require maintenance, refinement, or
support to continue to exist.
“Dear friends of the Cross, we are all
sinners; there is not one of us who has not deserved hell, and I more than
anyone. Our offences have to be punished either in this world or in the next.
If we suffer for them now, we shall not suffer for them after death. If we
willingly accept punishment for them, this punishment will be an act of God’s
love, accompanied by consolation and merit, and followed by rewards both here
and in Eternity!” (21)
Do we think of this, when we have to
suffer some trial in this world? How fortunate we are to be able to exchange a
never ending and unprofitable punishment for a temporary and meritorious one –
just by bearing our “Cross” with patience! How many of our debts are still
unpaid? How many sins we have committed which, despite a sincere Confession and
heartfelt Contrition, will have to be atoned for in Purgatory for many years,
simply because in this world we contended ourselves with a few slight penances!
12th
Day (Of the 12 preliminary days)
Theme:
The Last Things
The world does not like to be reminded
of the last things even though they are the only inescapable certainty for
everyone. “And it is appointed unto every man once to die and after this the
Judgment.” (Heb. 9:27). How necessary it is then to think about these things in
order to face them calmly, and not to be surprised by them.
Consideration: (Picture for Meditation) - Last Judgment
(Mt. 25: 31-34, 41)
(1)
The
certainty of death
Death alone is certain! It is uncertain
whether the infant that is just born will be poor or rich, whether he will have
good or bad health, whether he will die in youth or in old age. But it is
certain that he will die.
The story of a man who had built a
house with all comfort to live in. But it was missing a door – to carry him out
when he dies!
What would you say if you saw a man on
his way to the place of execution, laughing and joking, thinking only of
festivities and amusements? And are you not now on your way to death? We are
all condemned to death!
Memento Mori. We should continually
think of death. St. Charles Borromeo kept on his table a skull, in order that
he might continually contemplate it.
The story of a mother sending a parcel
to her daughter – to remind her of what she is (Mirror), what she will be
(skull) and what she should be (Statue of the Blessed Virgin).
“Letter to the Friends of the Cross” –
Nos. 20-23; 58.
“No
Crown without the Cross”
“The cross, let him carry it; for
nothing is so necessary, so beneficial, so agreeable and so glorious as to
suffer something for Jesus Christ!” (20)
(2) The Judgment!
Fire will descend from heaven and shall
burn the earth with all palaces, churches, cities and kingdoms – all must be
reduced to one heap of ashes!
After the death of all men, the trumpet
will sound, and all will rise again. The Souls of the Just will descend from
Heaven to be united to the bodies with which they served God in this life; and
the unhappy Souls of the damned will come up from hell to take possession of
the accursed bodies with which they offended God.
The Just will stand at the right, and
the wicked will be driven to the left. The son will be separated from the
father, the husband from the wife! Which place do you think will fall to you?
Would you wish to be found at the right hand?
Jesus Christ will first turn to the
elect and address them: “Come, ye blessed of My Father, possess the kingdom
prepared for you from the foundation of the world.” The most Holy Mary will
bless her servants and will invite them with her into heaven.
Then turning to the left the Judge will say:
“depart from Me, you cursed, into everlasting fire.”
Then in the middle of that (Josephat)
valley a pit will be opened, into which the devils and the damned will fall! O
God! They will see those gates closed, never to be opened! Never, never for all
eternity!
(3)
Punishment
for all Eternity – Hell! (22, 23)
Yes the punishment due for our sins –
is for eternity, without relief, without merit, without limit and without end!
That serious Sin you have committed in
so short a time, that deliberate evil thought, that word, that action against
the law of God – they shall all be punished for all eternity, in the company of
the devils in hell, so long as God is God!
Reflection
of the First day:
Let us pay the penalty in this world
voluntarily, and let us carry our “Cross” willingly. In the next world
everything even an idle word has to be paid for, even to the last penny. If
only we could wrench from the hand of Satan the book of death in which he has
recorded all our sins and the punishments they deserve, we would discover how
great the debt which we owe; and also how preferable it is to suffer for years
in this world than just one day in the next.
(4) The Eternal Reward - Heaven! (58)
Look upwards and see the beautiful
“Crown” that awaits you in heaven if you carry your “cross” well! It is this
reward which sustained the patriarchs and prophets in their faith and
persecution, which inspired the Apostles and Martyrs in their labors and
torments!
Let us look upwards and see the Angels
who exclaim to us: “Be careful not to forfeit the crown which is marked out for
the cross you have received, if you bear it well. If you do not bear it well,
another will carry it in the right spirit and will take your crown with it.
Fight bravely and suffer patiently – and you will receive an eternal Kingdom.”
Listen to Our Lord saying: “I will give
my reward only to the one who suffers and is victorious through his practice.”
(Apoc. 2:7)
Let us answer: “Lord, treat me as you
will in this world in punishment for my sins, so long as you pardon them in
eternity.”
Jesus warns us to be Prepared for the
Coming of the Son of Man (Matt. 24: 36-44)
“But of that day and hour no one
knoweth: no, not the angels of heaven,
but the Father alone.
“And as in the days of Noe, so shall
also the Coming of the Son of Man be. For, as in the days before the flood they
were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, even till that day
in which Noe entered into the ark. And they knew not till the flood came and
took them all away; so also shall the Coming of the Son of Man be.....”
“Then two shall be in the field. One
shall be taken and one shall be left....”
“Watch ye therefore because you know
not what hour your Lord will come.”
Prayer: (Collect: Mass of the Passion
of Our Lord Jesus Christ)
O Lord Jesus Christ, who did come down
to earth from the bosom of Thy Father in heaven, and didst shed Thy Precious
Blood to wash away our sins, we humbly entreat Thee that on the Judgment day,
at Thy right hand, we may be found worthy to hear from Thee these words: Come
ye blessed of My Father, possess your Kingdom prepared for you from the
foundation of the world (Matt. 25:34) who livest and reignest with the Father
in the unity of the Holy Ghost, world without end. Amen.
Spiritual Reading
Spiritual Reading:
Imitation of Christ: Book 1, Chapter
23,
CHAPTER XXIII Of meditation upon death
1. Very quickly will there be an end of
thee here; take heed therefore how it will be with thee in another world.
To−day man is, and to−morrow he will be seen no more. And being removed out of
sight, quickly also he is out of mind. O the dullness and hardness of man's
heart, which thinketh only of the present, and looketh not forward to the
future. Thou oughtest in every deed and thought so order thyself, as if thou
wert to die this day. If thou hadst a good conscience thou wouldst not greatly
fear death. It was better for thee to watch against sin, than to fly from
death. If today thou art not ready, how shalt thou be ready tomorrow?
Tomorrow is an uncertain day; and how
knowest thou that thou shalt have a tomorrow?
2. What doth it profit to live long,
when we amend so little? Ah! long life doth not always amend, but often the
more increaseth guilt. Oh that we might spend a single day in this world as it
ought to be spent! Many there are who reckon the years since they were
converted, and yet oftentimes how little is the fruit thereof. If it is a
fearful thing to die, it may be perchance a yet more fearful thing to live
long. Happy is the man who hath the hour of his death always before his eyes,
and daily prepareth himself to die. If thou hast ever seen one die, consider
that thou also shalt pass away by the same road.
3. When it is morning reflect that it
may be thou shalt not see the evening, and at eventide dare not to boast
thyself of the morrow. Always be thou prepared, and so live that death may
never find thee unprepared. Many die suddenly and unexpectedly. For at such an
hour as ye think not, the Son of Man cometh.(1) When that last hour shall come,
thou wilt begin to think very differently of thy whole life past, and wilt
mourn bitterly that thou hast been so negligent and slothful.
4. Happy and wise is he who now
striveth to be such in life as he would fain be found in death! For a perfect
contempt of the world, a fervent desire to excel in virtue, the love of
discipline, the painfulness of repentance, readiness to obey, denial of self,
submission to any adversity for love of Christ; these are the things which
shall give great confidence of a happy death. Whilst thou art in health thou
hast many opportunities of good works; but when thou art in sickness I know not
how much thou wilt be able to do. Few are made better by infirmity: even as
they who wander much abroad seldom become holy.
5. Trust not thy friends and kinsfolk,
nor put off the work of thy salvation to the future, for men will forget thee
sooner than thou thinkest. It is better for thee now to provide in time, and to
send some good before thee, than to trust to the help of others. If thou art
not anxious for thyself now, who, thinkest thou, will be anxious for thee
afterwards? Now the time is most precious. Now is the accepted time, now is the
day of salvation. But alas! that thou spendest not well this time, wherein thou
mightest lay up treasure which should profit thee everlastingly. The hour will
come when thou shalt desire one day, yea, one hour, for amendment of life, and
I know not whether thou shalt obtain.
6. Oh, dearly beloved, from what danger
thou mightest free thyself, from what great fear, if only thou wouldst always
live in fear, and in expectation of death! Strive now to live in such wise that
in the hour of death thou mayest rather rejoice than fear. Learn now to die to
the world, so shalt thou begin to live with Christ. Learn now to condemn all
earthly things, and then mayest thou freely go unto Christ. Keep under thy body
by penitence, and then shalt thou be able to have a sure confidence.
7. Ah, foolish one! Why thinkest thou
that thou shalt live long, when thou art not sure of a single day? How many
have been deceived, and suddenly have been snatched away from the body! How
many times hast thou heard how one was slain by the sword, another was drowned,
another falling from on high broke his neck, another died at the table, another
whilst at play! One died by fire, another by the sword, another by the
pestilence, another by the robber. Thus cometh death to all, and the life of
men swiftly passeth away like a shadow.
8. Who will remember thee after thy
death? And who will entreat for thee? Work - work now, oh dearly beloved, work
all that thou canst. For thou knowest not when thou shalt die, nor what shall
happen unto thee after death. While thou hast time, lay up for thyself undying
riches. Think of nought but of thy salvation; care only for the things of God.
Make to thyself friends, by venerating the saints of God and walking in their
steps, that when thou failest, thou mayest be received into everlasting
habitations.(2)9. Keep thyself as a stranger and a pilgrim upon the earth, to
whom the things of the world appertain not. Keep thine heart free, and lifted
up towards God, for here have we no continuing city.(3) To Him direct thy daily
prayers with crying and tears, that thy spirit may be found worthy to pass
happily after death unto its Lord. Amen.
(1) Matthew xxiv. 44. (2) Luke xvi. 9.
(3) Hebrews xiii. 14.
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